The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it has not officially received any request from the United States for the extradition of detained religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez made the clarification following reports quoting Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez as saying that Washington had transmitted a formal extradition request to the department.

“As of this time, the DOJ has not officially received any document indicating that the United States has formally requested the extradition of Apollo Quiboloy,” Martinez said in a message.

Martinez explained that under the Philippines-United States Extradition Treaty and applicable Philippine laws, extradition requests must first be coursed through diplomatic channels.

“Under the Philippine-U.S. Extradition Treaty and applicable law, the DFA would be the first point of contact for such a request. Initial inquiries may therefore be directed to the DFA,” he said.

Earlier, Romualdez said the United States had formally requested Quiboloy’s extradition and that the request had been transmitted to the DOJ.

Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, is wanted in the United States for alleged conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling.

He is also facing qualified human trafficking and child abuse charges before Philippine courts.

Quiboloy has repeatedly denied the allegations, claiming that the cases against him are politically and religiously motivated. He has also challenged U.S. authorities to present their evidence in court.