Philippine court moves to extradite preacher sought by US over child sex trafficking

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Apollo Quiboloy is currently being held without bail in a Philippine prison while on trial for a separate charge of human trafficking, which carries life in prison if convicted ...

A Philippine court has ordered the arrest of a jailed preacher sought by Washington for alleged child sex trafficking, a step toward his possible extradition to the United States, Manila said Saturday.

Self-proclaimed "Son of God" Apollo Quiboloy is currently being held without bail in a Philippine prison while on trial for a separate charge of human trafficking, which carries life in prison if convicted.

Manila filed a petition with a lower court on Monday to authorise his extradition to the United States, Philippine justice department spokesman Polo Martinez told AFP.

On Thursday, November 12, the court issued an extradition warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and two female associates — both at large — "after finding probable cause that each extraditee committed the offence or offences charged," Martinez added.

Under Philippine law, the court must now hold hearings before a final decision is made on the transfer.

Quiboloy, an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in 2024 and later pleaded not guilty to the Philippine charges.

A US grand jury separately indicted Quiboloy in 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children and bulk cash smuggling.

The US indictment alleges women were recruited as personal assistants for Quiboloy, said to be in his mid-70s, to prepare his meals, clean his residence, give him massages and have sex with him.

Martinez, the justice department spokesman, told AFP the Philippine court also issued a separate "hold departure order" against Quiboloy and his two associates to "prevent any attempt by each of them to depart from the Philippines".

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