THE United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has formally requested the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to face charges related to sex trafficking, labor trafficking, fraud, and cash smuggling.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Analyn Ratonel confirmed that the agency has received the request from the US government.
“The DFA has endorsed the request to the Department of Justice,” Ratonel said in a statement.
Quiboloy is included on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
He was indicted by a US federal grand jury in 2021 on charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; labor trafficking; cash smuggling; and immigration-related offenses including marriage fraud and visa fraud.
The labor trafficking charge stems from allegations that church members were brought to the United States using fraudulently obtained visas and were forced to solicit donations.
According to the US Department of Justice, some female victims, aged 12 to 25, were recruited as Quiboloy’s personal assistants, known as “pastorals.”
Prosecutors alleged that some of the women were coerced into sexual acts through threats of physical abuse and spiritual punishment, including “eternal damnation.”
Quiboloy has repeatedly denied the allegations.
He was arrested on September 8, 2024, following a more than two-week police operation inside the KOJC compound in Davao City.
Quiboloy is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail while facing qualified human trafficking charges before a Philippine court. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)