The United States has formally asked the Philippines to extradite evangelical pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted on sex-trafficking charges.

The request

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that the United States has formally requested Quiboloy’s extradition, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. He is wanted in the US on sex-trafficking charges. As with any criminal case, charges are accusations: guilt is decided by a court, not by a request.

What extradition means

Extradition is the formal process by which one country asks another to hand over a person so they can face trial there. It is not automatic. It normally requires a treaty between the two countries, review by courts in the country receiving the request, and often a political decision at the end. The process can take years, and requests are sometimes refused.

Why cases involving religious leaders are sensitive

Large congregations often involve deep personal trust and, in some cases, considerable political influence. That can make allegations harder to investigate and more painful for followers, who may reasonably feel their faith itself is being judged. It is worth separating the two: a case concerns the conduct of individuals, not the beliefs of a community.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 7, 2026.