US formally requests extradition from PH
The US government has formally requested the extradition of Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy to face charges including sex trafficking and fraud. The Philippine Department of Justice is currently reviewing the request under the existing bilateral extradition treaty.
Why it matters
The case tests the legal cooperation between the US and the Philippines and highlights the intersection of religious influence and international criminal law.
MANILA – The United States Department of State has formally requested the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a ranking official confirmed on Thursday.
In a text message, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said the US wants to extradite the Filipino televangelist as soon as possible.
“The formal request was transmitted to the Department of Justice. (It was transmitted by the) US State Department… they want Quiboloy asap due to numerous cases in the US,” he told the Philippine News Agency.
The envoy had earlier pointed out that the final say on whether Quiboloy could be extradited despite his pending cases in the Philippines would still depend on the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The US extradition request is in connection with Quiboloy’s 2021 indictment filed in California, which includes charges of sex trafficking of minors, fraud and bulk cash smuggling.
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