The lawyer hired to defend Peter Scully, the Melbourne man Filipino authorities have accused of some of the worst child-sex crimes in memory, has quit in exasperation over the alleged paedophile's incessant demands for special treatment in prison, Fairfax Media can exclusively reveal.

Alejandro Jose Pallugna said he bowed out after becoming "mightily sick" of the alleged child-porn kingpin's demands for special food, a mobile phone and twice-weekly visits from his lawyer.

Peter Gerard Scully.

"I withdrew as his defence counsel last February as I can't withstand his crazy and eccentric attitude and personality," said Mr Pallugna, who is based in southern coastal Philippines city Cagayan de Oro.

Mr Pallugna said Mr Scully, who investigators have accused of running an online pay-per-view service showing the sexual torture of children, had acted like he was on holiday.