Philippine court orders arrest of US-wanted preacher Apollo Quiboloy
A court in Makati, Philippines, has issued an arrest warrant for preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted in the US on child sex trafficking charges. The step moves a possible extradition to the United States forward.
A regional trial court in Makati, Philippines, on Thursday issued an arrest warrant and a hold-departure order for celebrity preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who is already in jail. The United States wants him on child sex trafficking charges, and the ruling is a step towards his possible extradition. Justice Department spokesman Polo Martinez told the AFP news agency about the decision on Saturday.
The court acted after finding probable cause that he committed the offences charged. The Philippine government filed its petition on Monday, three months after Washington formally requested his extradition in August. Under Philippine law, the court must now hold hearings before deciding whether to hand him over.
The same orders were issued against two co-accused, Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag, who are officers of Quiboloy's Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect. Local media reports say both women remain at large. The FBI identified Dandan as the "international administrator" of a fake charity operation and Panilag as a former top church administrator in the US.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, speaking for the Office of the President, denied that the warrant was timed to coincide with US President Donald Trump's visit to Manila on November 17 for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. She called it probably just a coincidence.
Charges in the Philippines and the US
Quiboloy, who calls himself the "appointed son of God", is being held without bail while on trial for human trafficking in Pasig, which carries life in prison if he is convicted. Local media say he also faces a child abuse trial in Quezon City. He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the Philippine charges.
A US grand jury indicted him in 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children and bulk cash smuggling. After his 2024 arrest, police said alleged victims were told they were having sex with the "spirit of God" and were threatened that "angels of death" would hunt them down if they told anyone. The church said at the time that members had "freedom of choice".
Quiboloy's sect claims millions of followers and owns a television network. He is a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Last year he ran for the Senate from prison and received 5.6 million votes, but lost.
