He is sought to face trial on charges including child sex trafficking and fraud, which landed him on the FBI’s most wanted list, two Philippine officials confirmed Thursday, The Independent reported.
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The U.S. request for the extradition of Apollo Carreon Quiboloy was sent to the Department of Justice in Manila through the Philippine Foreign Affairs Department in July.
The request needs the approval of two Philippine courts, which have been trying the detained former televangelist for human trafficking and child abuse charges, according to two high-ranking officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to publicly discuss the issues.
The U.S. Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Quiboloy, the 76-year-old leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, once a powerful spiritual adviser and “political kingmaker” in the Philippines, is known for his extraordinary claims, including assertions that he is “the appointed son of God.”
His church was founded in southern Davao City in 1985 and claims a wide following both domestically and in the U.S., and served as a spiritual guide to Duterte, who took office in June 2016.
Duterte was arrested in Manila last year under a warrant from the International Criminal Court and has since been detained in the Netherlands, where he will face trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
His pronouncements, such as claiming to have stopped a major earthquake from hitting the southern Philippines, have often sparked questions about his character while simultaneously endearing him to his followers.
The legal framework for criminal suspects in the Philippines dictates that trials must conclude and sentences be served before extradition can occur.
