The United States has formally sought the extradition of Apollo Quiboloy, the pastor of a Davao-based religious group, who is allegedly wanted for various crimes including child sex trafficking in California before the Department of Justice.

This was confirmed by Philippine Ambassador to the US Juan Miguel Romualdez in an interview at Bilyonaryo News Channel Thursday evening.

''This was going to happen,'' said Romualdez, who said that there was an exchange of information about Quiboloy's case, which he described as a high profile one, between US and Philippine officials.

The US District Court for the Central District of California issued the arrest warrant on Quiboloy on November 10, 2021.

Romualdez said the US had formally sent the extradition request to the Philippine Department of Justice last July.

Quiboloy was arrested in Mindanao in 2024 and is in jail while Pasig and Davao courts are hearing charges of reported qualified human trafficking, child abuse and sexual abuse.

Romualdez said when Quiboloy will be extradited depends on the Department of Justice and those who have filed the cases against him in Pasig and Davao courts.

''Our courts would have to make the decision whether to let the extradition take precedent,'' said Romualdez.

In another interview, Quiboloy's lawyer Israelito Torreon told Storycon he not received a copy of this request. PHS