US requests extradition of Duterte’s religious adviser

The United States has requested the Philippines to extradite a religious leader facing sex trafficking and money laundering and cash smuggling cases, the foreign ministry said.

Photo from Kingdom of Jesus Christ

Manuel Mogato | August 7, 2026

MANILA — The United States has requested the Philippines to extradite a religious leader facing sex trafficking and money laundering and cash smuggling cases, the foreign ministry said.

Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect and the spiritual adviser of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has been on trial at a local court for human trafficking.

He has been detained in a Pasig City jail since his arrest in Davao City in September 2024.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirms it has received the United States Government’s request for the extradition of Apollo Quiboloy,” the department said in a statement.

The foreign ministry said it has endorsed the request to the Department of Justice.

Similarly, the extradition request was announced by the Philippine ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez.

He said Quiboloy faced federal ng sex trafficking and racketeering charges in the United States.

“The formal request has been transmitted to the Department of Justice,” Romualdez said.

The Philippines has an Extradition Treaty, and under the agreement, the Department of Justice will review the request.

The formal extradition proceedings must navigate local court processes, which can either defer the surrender until domestic trials and sentences conclude or permit a temporary surrender to U.S. authorities.

But the process could take months or a year.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has placed Quiboloy in its wanted fugitive list after his indictment by a federal grand jury in California in November 2021.

Quiboloy was accused of leading a scheme that forced church members via fraudulently obtained visas to solicit donations for a bogus charity. He was also charged with coercing female personal assistants into sexual abuse under threats of abuse or spiritual damnation.

The televangelist also faced smuggling charges as after his $15 million Cessna plane was held at Honolulu International Airport in February 2018.

Federal agents discovered $350,000 in undeclared cash and rifle parts aboard the aircraft before allowing Quiboloy to return to Manila via a commercial flight..

An American citizen and Quiboloy’s church manager, Felina Salinas, was indicted after she claimed ownership of the suitcase with cash and faced bulk cash smuggling charges.

She was convicted this year.