Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the religious sect Kingdom of Jesus Christ on May 7, 2016. Fernando G. Sepe, Jr., ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Department of Justice on Friday said the United States has not yet sought the extradition of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy after a US court unsealed the arrest warrant connected to his sex trafficking and smuggling cases. 

“There is no extradition request received yet by the DOJ from the DFA. It’s difficult, however, to speak on hypothetical situations,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said in a statement.

It is not yet clear how the Philippine government will simultaneously handle the US and Philippine cases against Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).

Quiboloy still in Philippines, just being cautious — lawyer

The DOJ decided this week to pursue sexual abuse and human trafficking charges against Quiboloy in Pasig City and Davao City.

“The government’s goal is to attain Justice in whatever form and through the best forum. The decision to resolve came as a result of almost a year of verifying the evidence on record as well as the identity of the alleged victim,” Clavano said.

Quiboloy is wanted in the US for "his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders," the US Federal Bureau of Investigation said. 

"Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round. Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or 'pastorals,' for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called 'night duty,'" the FBI said in its website.  

Quiboloy also faces a Philippines Senate inquiry into his alleged sexual abuses against KOJC members and a House probe into supposed franchise violations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), a media outlet associated with him.

Quiboloy cited in contempt by Senate panel

The preacher recently said he was ready to face trial in the United States, but the legal proceedings have been repeatedly delayed.

quot;Naghihintay po ang aking mga lawyer sa Amerika at sa Pilipinas na simulan ang trial. Mula 2018, pinostpone. Ginawang 2020, pinostpone. Ginawang 2022, pinostpone. 2021 ganon din. 2023, pinostpone pa rin," he said.

He denied that he sexually abused female personal assistants or "pastorals", saying the women made up the accusations because he rejected them.

"Ako po ay hindi nag-asawa. Ngayon inaakusahan ako ng napakaraming babae. Eto po ang kasalanan ko. Pinayaman ako ng Panginoon. Akala nila sa akin, single ako, kaya pinag-aagawan ako. Pagkatapos na ako'y maghihinde, mapapahiya, ibabaliktad nila sa akin. 'Yan ang tinatawag kong Potiphar's wife syndrome," he said.

Quiboloy accuses alleged rape victims of 'Potiphar's wife syndrome' also defended allegations that KOJC members were forced to sell goods or even beg for money to raise money for the church. 

While not denying that members are asked to solicit, Quiboloy said the money is used for humanitarian efforts including feeding young people who he said are being neglected by politicians.

quot;Ni singko wala kaming ninanakaw. 'Yung mga volunteers ko walang sweldo," he said.

Marcos urges Quiboloy: Face Senate, House hearings

Imee to seek junking of Quiboloy contempt ruling