Omanghana
The United States government has formally requested the extradition of detained Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy to face federal charges in California.
The request was transmitted by the US State Department through its embassy in Manila and received by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. It has since been forwarded to the Department of Justice for legal review and evaluation.
Quiboloy, 76, is the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and describes himself as the “Appointed Son of God.” He was placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list following a federal grand jury indictment issued in California in 2021.
Federal Charges Against Quiboloy
The superseding indictment filed in the United States contains allegations involving sex trafficking, forced labour, financial fraud and immigration-related offences.
US prosecutors accuse Quiboloy and his alleged associates of coercing women and girls between the ages of 12 and 25 into sexual acts. The indictment alleges that victims were threatened with physical abuse and “eternal damnation” if they refused to comply.
Quiboloy is also accused of operating a fraudulent labour-trafficking scheme involving church members who entered the United States on visas. Prosecutors allege that the individuals were forced to solicit donations for a charity but that the money was instead used to finance church activities and support the luxurious lifestyles of senior members.
Other allegations include bulk cash smuggling, money laundering, visa fraud and arranging fraudulent marriages to allow church operatives to remain in the United States.
The charges remain allegations, and Quiboloy is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
Quiboloy Facing Separate Cases in the Philippines
The extradition request could face significant legal complications because Quiboloy is already being prosecuted in the Philippines.
He has been detained at the Pasig City jail since September 2024, following a two-week police operation at his compound in Davao. He is currently facing a qualified human-trafficking case in Pasig and child sexual-abuse proceedings in Quezon City.
Under standard extradition procedures, a person facing domestic prosecution may be required to complete local trials and serve any resulting sentence before being transferred to another country.
Philippine authorities must now determine how the US request will affect Quiboloy’s ongoing cases and whether domestic proceedings should take priority.
Treaty Allows Possible Temporary Surrender
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros has drawn attention to Article 11 of the extradition treaty between the Philippines and the United States.
The provision allows the Philippine government to approve a temporary surrender under certain circumstances. Such an arrangement could permit Quiboloy to be transferred to California to face federal proceedings before being returned to the Philippines to complete his local trials or serve any sentence imposed by Philippine courts.
Any temporary transfer would require coordination between the two governments and compliance with the applicable legal and diplomatic procedures.
Lawyers Oppose Immediate Transfer
Quiboloy’s legal team has urged the Philippine government not to hand him over immediately. His lawyers argue that the country’s courts should be allowed to conclude the cases against him before any extradition takes place.
The Philippine Department of Justice is expected to examine the request, the requirements of the bilateral treaty and the status of the domestic proceedings before deciding how to proceed.
Source: Omanghana
