THE United States government has formally requested the extradition of religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to face sex trafficking and racketeering charges filed against him in American courts.
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez confirmed the development, stating that the formal extradition request has already been transmitted to the Philippine Department of Justice for appropriate action. The request adds another layer of legal proceedings for Quiboloy, who is already detained and facing serious charges before local courts.
Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious group, is currently held at the Pasig City Jail following his arrest in August 2024.
He pleaded not guilty to local charges that include violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, as well as a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge before a Pasig court.
The US indictment, first announced in November 2021, alleges that Quiboloy and other church officials — including two US-based administrators — recruited girls and women, aged 12 to 25, under the guise of being personal assistants, only to subject them to forced labor and sexual exploitation.
According to the US charges, victims were tasked with preparing meals, cleaning his residence, and giving massages, while also being coerced into sexual activity. The Department of Justice will now process the American extradition request alongside the existing domestic cases against Quiboloy. Authorities will determine whether to comply with the US request, a process that may take time as legal proceedings in the Philippines continue to move forward.
metrosundaily
