Philippine authorities have taken judicial action against Apollo Quiboloy, a prominent religious figure currently detained on human trafficking charges. The Makati Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant and hold-departure order following a determination of probable cause regarding the allegations against him. This action follows the Philippine government’s filing of an extradition petition with a lower court, which itself came three months after the United States formally submitted its extradition request in August.
Quiboloy leads the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, a religious organization claiming millions of adherents and operating a television network. He is currently incarcerated without bail while facing trial for human trafficking in Pasig, an offense that could result in a life sentence upon conviction. Additionally, he is involved in a separate child abuse case in Quezon City. The religious leader has maintained his innocence, entering not guilty pleas to all Philippine charges.
Two female associates of Quiboloy have also been named in the court orders: Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag, both officers within his organization. While the warrant and hold-departure order were issued against all three individuals, the two women remain at large according to local media accounts. US authorities have characterized Dandan as an international administrator of a fraudulent charitable operation and Panilag as a former senior church official in the United States.
The US indictment against Quiboloy, issued in 2021, includes charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking through force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of minors, and bulk cash smuggling. According to police statements following his 2024 arrest, alleged victims reported being told they were engaging in sexual activity with the “spirit of God” and faced threats of harm from “angels of death” should they disclose their experiences. Government officials have denied allegations that the timing of the recent court order was coordinated with an upcoming visit by a US political figure for a regional summit.
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