A Philippine court has officially issued an arrest warrant to facilitate the potential extradition of Apollo Quiboloy, the self-styled “Son of God” and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect. Currently imprisoned in the Philippines while facing local charges of human trafficking, Quiboloy is also wanted by the United States for his alleged involvement in a sex trafficking ring that targeted minors. The Department of Justice recently confirmed that the court found probable cause to move forward with the extradition request, which also targets two of his associates who remain at large.

The legal battle stems from a 2021 U.S. federal indictment accusing the preacher of operating a coercive scheme where recruits were forced into sexual acts under the guise of religious duty, often accompanied by threats of spiritual and physical harm. While Quiboloy, a known political ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has entered a not-guilty plea regarding his domestic charges, Philippine authorities have implemented a "hold departure order" to ensure he remains in custody. Before any final transfer to U.S. authorities can occur, the court must conduct further hearings to weigh the merits of the extradition, marking a significant step in a complex legal case that has drawn international attention.