An influential Filipino pastor, Apollo Quiboloy, wanted for child sex trafficking in both the Philippines and the US, has been arrested following a tense two-week standoff between police and his followers. Quiboloy, who claims to be the “Appointed Son of God,” was taken into custody after violent clashes during a raid on his vast Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound, where one follower died from a heart attack.
The arrest follows charges from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2021, accusing Quiboloy of trafficking women and girls from the Philippines to the US, where they were forced to solicit money for a fake charity and provide sexual services to him. Quiboloy, who rose to prominence as a spiritual adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, and claims to have seven million followers, has consistently denied all charges.
Quiboloy was previously serving as spiritual adviser to the former leader.
However, his fortunes turned when Duterte stepped down in June 2022.
The standoff between police and Quiboloy’s followers took place at his 30-hectare (75-acre) KOJC compound in Davao. Authorities suspected Quiboloy was hiding in an underground bunker, based on the sound of heartbeats detected by surveillance equipment, but he was eventually found in the compound’s Bible school and arrested. The complex is home to some 40 buildings, including a cathedral, a school and even a hangar. His lawyer claimed Quiboloy surrendered to avoid further violence, though officials say his arrest was the result of intelligence gathered during the raid.
Quiboloy and four others were flown to Manila and are being held at the national police headquarters. While his arrest marks a significant development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stated that the Philippines is not currently considering extraditing Quiboloy to the US. The standoff comes amid a political rift between the Marcos and Duterte families, with Vice President Sara Duterte previously criticising the force used in pursuing Quiboloy.
Quiboloy founded KOJC in 1985, after hearing God whisper to him “I will use you” while attending an event by American pastor Billy Graham in South Korea in 1973, says the organisation.
He has long exerted political influence in the Philippines, using his religious following to endorse candidates during elections. He remains a prominent figure with a substantial media presence, broadcasting sermons from his luxurious “Garden of Eden Restored” estate via his own TV and social media platforms. Despite his arrest, Quiboloy insists his legal troubles are driven by the “devil” and has rejected the FBI’s involvement in his case.
Melissa Enoch
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