US Formally Requests Extradition of Pastor Quiboloy from Philippines

The United States has formally requested the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, who faces charges including child sex trafficking and fraud, from the Philippine government. Quiboloy is on the federal most wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez stated that the extradition request was sent to the Department of Justice in Manila through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in July. The DFA has confirmed receiving the request and has endorsed it to the DOJ. One of Quiboloy's lawyers indicated that they have not yet received any notification regarding the extradition and reserved comment pending formal notice. Quiboloy has been detained since September 2024 on charges of qualified human trafficking and child sexual abuse. The Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159 is handling the qualified human trafficking cases, while the Supreme Court moved the child sexual abuse cases from Davao to Quezon City, where it was raffled to Branch 106. While an extradition treaty exists between the Philippines and the US, signed in 1994, Quiboloy's legal team pointed to Article 11 of the treaty, which allows Manila to "postpone the extradition proceedings against a person who is being prosecuted or who is serving a sentence in that State." This could complicate the process, as Quiboloy is currently facing cases in Philippine courts. The principle of adherence of jurisdiction may make matters more complicated, as a court that has already acquired jurisdiction generally has supremacy to decide the case before surrendering it. Quiboloy's lawyer acknowledged that the Philippines may temporarily surrender him to the US, but this could be contested up to the Supreme Court, which would certainly take time. Under the Rules on Extradition Proceedings, the DOJ, acting as the central authority, can petition for the temporary surrender of an accused "if the extraditee is also facing criminal charges or serving a sentence in the Philippines for an offense other than the one for which extradition is requested." In November 2021, a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California ordered Quiboloy's arrest for charges including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling. Quiboloy is accused of participating in a "labor-trafficking scheme" where KOJC members were allegedly brought to the US through fraudulently obtained visas and forced to solicit donations to fund the lavish lifestyles of church leaders. Female members were reportedly compelled to prepare his meals, give him massages, and engage in sexual relations, referred to as "night duty." Conversely, the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that it has not officially received any documents from the US government requesting Quiboloy's extradition. A DOJ spokesperson noted that the DFA would typically be the first point of contact for such requests, citing the extradition treaty and applicable law. "Initial inquiries may therefore be directed to the DFA." Another lawyer for Quiboloy maintained that his client's extradition is "extremely unfeasible" since his case is being heard by local courts. He stated that the government "chooses to meekly surrender its jurisdiction to a foreign power" if extradition proceeds without local case resolution. Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, welcomed the US government's request and urged the DOJ to act on it. Hontiveros had led a Senate inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse by Quiboloy against women and girls, and expressed relief that "not one but two jurisdictions want to hold him to account." The case highlights the intersection of domestic legal proceedings in the Philippines and international law enforcement cooperation.