Malacañang said that the US government's request to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy must undergo careful evaluation and assessment before the Philippine government decides how to proceed.

In a video statement, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the request should be resolved at the proper time to ensure the highest level of justice for the alleged victims in the Philippines and the United States, as well as for Quiboloy, who is facing charges.

Quiboloy faces US charges involving alleged sex trafficking, visa fraud, and bulk cash smuggling, among others, while he also faces criminal proceedings in the Philippines.

“Ang paghiling ng US government para sa extradition ni Pastor Quiboloy… ay isang bagay na dapat na pag-isipan, ma-evaluate, ma-assess at ma-resolba sa tamang panahon para makamtan ang pinakamataas na antas ng hustisya (The US government's request for the extradition of Pastor Quiboloy to stand trial there in the US… is something that must be considered, evaluated, assessed, and resolved at the proper time to achieve the highest level of justice),” she said Friday evening, Aug. 7.

Castro stressed that the government's consideration of the request should take into account not only those who allegedly suffered from the offenses but also the rights of the accused.

“Hustisya para sa mga ‘di umanong biktima rito at sa US, at pati na rin sa akusado (Justice for the alleged victims here and in the US, as well as for the accused),” she said.

According to Castro, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had received the US extradition request and endorsed it to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which received the voluminous records on Friday.

“Ayon sa DOJ, sa Lunes nila ito sisimulang pag-aralan (According to the DOJ, they will begin studying it on Monday),” she said.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said US authorities were eager for the Philippines to resolve the extradition request, with the matter now in the hands of Philippine authorities.

If extradition is eventually approved, Romualdez said US Marshals would likely take custody of Quiboloy and bring him to the US jurisdiction where the alleged offenses were committed.

Quiboloy was taken into government custody on Sept. 8, 2024, after he surrendered to authorities inside the 30-hectare KOJC compound in Davao City following a 16-day police operation to serve his arrest warrant.

The operation began on Aug. 24, 2024, when more than 2,000 police officers were deployed to the compound as authorities sought to locate Quiboloy and serve the warrant.

The Philippine National Police later said Quiboloy surrendered after authorities gave him a 24-hour ultimatum to come out of the building where he was believed to be hiding, with negotiations involving the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines leading to his surrender.

Quiboloy and four co-accused were flown from Davao City to Manila that evening and brought to the PNP custodial facility at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The arrest followed Philippine court warrants in connection with qualified human trafficking and child abuse cases, while Quiboloy was also facing federal charges in the United States.

Quiboloy has denied the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty to the Philippine qualified human trafficking charges.

The US government has accused the detained televangelist of sex trafficking and other offenses, including allegations involving the recruitment and exploitation of women and children.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) previously placed Quiboloy on its most-wanted list in connection with allegations of sex trafficking, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling, among other offenses.

The Philippine cases, meanwhile, have continued separately, with Quiboloy remaining detained while proceedings are ongoing.

A Pasig court in 2025 rejected his request for hospital arrest, ruling that there was no compelling reason to transfer him from detention to a hospital facility.

Quiboloy ran for senator in the May 2025 elections while detained, but failed to win a seat, finishing 31st in the senatorial race.

Quiboloy endorsed Marcos' presidential bid and then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's vice presidential bid in the 2022 elections, publicly declaring his support for the Marcos-Duterte UniTeam during a campaign event at the KOJC compound in Davao City.

Quiboloy was also a close ally of the Duterte family and served as spiritual adviser to former president Rodrigo Duterte, giving him significant political visibility before and during the 2022 campaign.

The political connection has since drawn attention as Quiboloy faced criminal proceedings in the Philippines and the United States, although the Palace has maintained that the cases should be handled through the proper legal process.