A Philippine court has issued extradition arrest warrants for jailed Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy and two associates in a US case involving alleged sex trafficking and other offences, the Philippine Department of Justice said.
The November 12 order advances Washington's extradition request but does not authorise their transfer.
Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 145 issued warrants against Quiboloy, Teresita Tolibas Dandan and Helen Panilag, alongside hold-departure orders barring them from leaving the Philippines.
The Justice Department filed the extradition petition on November 9 following Washington's formal request in August, AFP reported.
Quiboloy has been detained without bail since his arrest in 2024 and is on trial for human trafficking in Pasig.
He has pleaded not guilty to Philippine charges and also faces a child-abuse case in Quezon City.
The two women remain at large, AFP reported.
Philippine Supreme Court rules introduced in 2025 give those sought 15 calendar days from receiving the court summons and petition to file a response.
Extradition proceedings assess whether a transfer is legally permissible, not whether the accused is guilty.
The rules also permit postponement of an extradition judgment's execution during separate Philippine criminal proceedings, unless a court allows temporary surrender.
That could prevent Quiboloy's immediate transfer even if extradition is approved.
A 2021 US federal indictment named Quiboloy among nine defendants in a 42-count case, according to the US Justice Department.
Prosecutors alleged that church members were brought to the United States using fraudulently obtained visas and forced to collect donations for a purported charity, while girls and young women were coerced into sex with Quiboloy.
An indictment does not establish guilt.
Lawyer Israelito Torreon said Quiboloy would defend himself against the Philippine charges, while separate counsel would handle extradition proceedings, GMA News reported.
The Philippine presidential palace denied any connection between the warrant's timing and President Donald Trump's scheduled November 17 visit to Manila for the ASEAN summit.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said reviewing the extradition documents had taken time, according to the Philippine News Agency.