US extradition: Court orders arrest of Philippine preacher on child sex trafficking charges

A Philippine court has issued an order for the arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, a jailed preacher accused by the United States of child sex trafficking, a move towards his potential extradition, Manila reported on Saturday. Quiboloy, who is currently imprisoned without bail while facing trial for human trafficking, is sought by Washington for alleged crimes that include sex trafficking of children and bulk cash smuggling, according to US prosecutors.

Manila submitted a petition to a lower court on Monday requesting the authority to extradite Quiboloy and two female associates to the United States, according to a statement from Philippine Justice Department spokesman Polo Martinez to AFP. On Thursday, the court issued an extradition warrant for arrest against Quiboloy and the two women after determining probable cause that each had committed the alleged offenses, Martinez added.

The court is now scheduled to hold hearings before making a final decision on the transfer. Quiboloy, a supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in 2024 and pleaded not guilty to the Philippine charges. A separate US grand jury indicted Quiboloy in 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, and bulk cash smuggling, alleging that women were recruited as personal assistants for Quiboloy, who is believed to be in his 70s, for personal services and sexual relations.

Washington formally requested his extradition in August. The Philippine court also issued a separate "hold departure order" against Quiboloy and his two associates to prevent their departure from the country. Quiboloy's Kingdom of Christ sect claims millions of followers in the predominantly Catholic nation and owns a television network.

Despite his incarceration, Quiboloy ran for the Philippine Senate in the 2025 midterm elections and received 5.6 million votes, although he lost. Police stated that Quiboloy's alleged victims were told they were engaging in sexual acts with the "spirit of God" and were threatened with punishment from "angels of death" if they disclosed the abuse.

Quiboloy's church claimed that members had "freedom of choice," implying that any wrongdoing was a voluntary decision.