The Philippines is not prioritizing the extradition of Filipino pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted in the United States on charges of child sex trafficking, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Monday. Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect and a known ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in Davao City following a large-scale police search.
US authorities had charged Quiboloy in 2021 with sex trafficking involving girls and women aged 12 to 25, who were allegedly forced to serve as personal assistants and engage in sexual acts with him. Despite these charges, Marcos emphasized that the government is focused on handling the legal cases filed against the pastor in the Philippines, including accusations of child abuse and human trafficking.
Marcos rejected any demands for special treatment or conditions regarding Quiboloy’s arrest and reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to a fair and transparent judicial process. He also praised the police for their work in apprehending the pastor.
While Quiboloy is facing multiple charges in Manila, it remains unclear if the United States has formally requested his extradition. The pastor is also wanted by US authorities for bulk cash smuggling and fraudulent visa schemes used to raise funds for his church’s operations.