Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy (Senate PRIB photo)
Formal request advances as Philippine courts continue separate cases against the detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder
MANILA – A formal U.S. request to extradite Apollo Quiboloy has moved into Philippine government review, bringing the detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder closer to a possible court proceeding while separate criminal cases against him continue in the Philippines.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Aug. 6 that it had received the request and endorsed it to the Department of Justice. Malacañang said Friday that the DOJ had received extensive records from Washington and would evaluate them, resolving earlier uncertainty over whether the department had formally obtained the documents.
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Washington wants the extradition handled as soon as possible. Any transfer, however, would require compliance with Philippine law and the 1994 Philippines-U.S. Extradition Treaty.
Under Supreme Court rules that took effect in November 2025, an extradition case begins when the justice secretary or authorized state counsel files a verified petition before the proper court. The proceeding does not determine guilt. The court decides whether treaty and legal requirements are satisfied and whether a prima facie case supports extradition.
Quiboloy’s Philippine cases could affect the timing of any surrender. He has pleaded not guilty to a qualified human trafficking charge in Pasig and faces separate child abuse-related charges in Quezon City. The treaty allows surrender to be postponed while local proceedings continue, but also provides for temporary surrender under court-approved conditions.
Defense lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said Quiboloy’s legal team had not received a summons or formal court notice and would contest extradition once a petition is filed.
Washington seeks Quiboloy in connection with a 42-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in California in November 2021. The indictment names nine defendants and alleges schemes involving sex trafficking, forced labor and labor trafficking, immigration and marriage fraud, money laundering and other offenses connected to Kingdom of Jesus Christ operations in the United States.
Federal prosecutors allege that girls and young women recruited as personal assistants were coerced into sexual activity through threats of abuse and spiritual punishment. They also allege that church members were brought to the United States using fraudulently obtained visas and compelled to solicit donations.
The allegations have not been proved at trial. Quiboloy has denied wrongdoing and is presumed innocent unless convicted.
The FBI has placed Quiboloy on its human trafficking wanted list in connection with the U.S. charges.
Quiboloy was taken into government custody in September 2024 after an extended police operation at the church compound in Davao City. His longstanding relationship with former President Rodrigo Duterte adds political sensitivity to the case, but the immediate decisions rest with the Justice Department and Philippine courts.
No extradition petition, court order or timetable for surrender had been publicly announced as of press time.
