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Apollo Quiboloy (wearing helmet), pastor and founder of the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church, arrives to attend the arraignment at Pasig City Regional Trial Court in Metro Manila on September 13, 2024.
AFP / Jam Sta Rosa
MANILA, Philippines — Nearly a year after Washington's bid to extradite Apollo Quiboloy first became public, the United States has formally transmitted its request to the Philippine government, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed Thursday.
"The formal request was transmitted to the Department of Justice," Romualdez told Philstar.com in a message.
The development advances an extradition effort first disclosed in August 2025, when Romualdez said Washington had asked the Philippines to turn over the Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and sent supporting documents to the DOJ.
The Department of Justice, however, said Thursday that it had not officially received any document indicating that the United States had formally requested Quiboloy's extradition.
"Under the Philippine-US Extradition Treaty and applicable law, the DFA would be the first point of contact for such a request. Initial inquiries may therefore be directed to the DFA," the DOJ said.
The development marks the formal step needed for Philippine authorities to begin evaluating Washington's request under the countries' extradition treaty.
US charges. Quiboloy was indicted by a US federal grand jury in 2021 on charges that include conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children.
He also faces substantive sex trafficking, conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling charges, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
US prosecutors accused Quiboloy and other Kingdom of Jesus Christ officials of recruiting women and girls to serve as his personal assistants and coercing them into sex.
Quiboloy has denied the allegations.
Philippine cases
Quiboloy remains detained while facing child and sexual abuse charges before a Quezon City court.
He and several co-accused are also facing non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges before a Pasig court.
The pending Philippine cases may affect the timing of any extradition. The DOJ said in 2025 that local jurisdiction generally takes priority, although the courts ultimately act on extradition proceedings.
Under Philippine law, the DOJ evaluates a formal extradition request and, if it finds the documents sufficient, assigns a government lawyer to file a petition before a trial court.
Quiboloy was taken into custody on Sept. 8, 2024, following a prolonged police operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City.
