Manila: The United States Department of State has officially requested the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a high-ranking official confirmed. In a text message, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez stated that the US is eager to extradite the Filipino televangelist promptly.

According to Philippines News Agency, the formal request was transmitted by the US State Department to the Department of Justice (DOJ), citing numerous cases against Quiboloy in the US. Romualdez emphasized that the final decision on Quiboloy's extradition, despite his pending cases in the Philippines, rests with the DOJ.

The US extradition request is related to Quiboloy's 2021 indictment in California, which includes charges such as sex trafficking of minors, fraud, and bulk cash smuggling. The Philippines and the United States have had an extradition treaty since November 1994. Article 11 of this treaty permits the temporary surrender of an individual who is either being prosecuted or serving a sentence in the requested state.

Should the extradition proceed, Quiboloy would be detained in the US and returned to the Philippines following the conclusion of the proceedings against him, as outlined in the treaty. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed receipt of the US Government's extradition request for Quiboloy and has forwarded it to the DOJ.

Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed that extraditing Quiboloy to the US could help diminish his influence and prevent his followers from harassing those who testified against him. She emphasized that his presence in the Philippines continues to empower his followers to intimidate survivors who bravely spoke out.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, was relieved to see both Philippine and US authorities seeking accountability for Quiboloy's alleged crimes against women and girls. She urged the DOJ to act swiftly on the extradition request to facilitate the legal process and provide peace to the victims.

In a statement, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez mentioned that the agency is yet to receive official information regarding the US request for Quiboloy's extradition. He clarified that the government has two options under Article 11 of the RP-US Extradition Treaty: either to delay extradition until his Philippine case concludes or to temporarily hand him over to the US for trial, subject to conditions agreed upon by both countries.