Filipino pastor Apollo Quiboloy arrested on child sex trafficking charges after two-week standoff

An influential Filipino pastor, Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted in both the Philippines and the United States on child sex trafficking charges, has been arrested after a tense two-week standoff between police and his followers. Quiboloy, who claims to be the “Appointed Son of God,” was taken into custody following violent clashes during a raid on his vast Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound that left one follower dead of a heart attack.

The arrest follows 2021 charges filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accusing Quiboloy of smuggling women and girls from the Philippines to the United States, where they were forced to raise money for a fake charity and offer him sexual services. 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 allegations.

Quiboloy had previously served as spiritual adviser to the former leader.
However, his fortunes changed when Duterte resigned in June 2022.

The confrontation between police and Quiboloy's supporters took place at his 30-hectare KOJC compound in Davao. Authorities suspected Quiboloy was hiding in an underground bunker because surveillance devices were registering heartbeats. However, he was eventually found and arrested at the compound's Bible school. The complex includes around 40 buildings, including a cathedral, a school and even a hangar. His lawyer claimed Quiboloy surrendered to avoid further violence. However, authorities 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. Although his arrest is a significant development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stated that the Philippines is not currently considering extraditing Quiboloy to the United States. The conflict comes amid a political rift between the Marcos and Duterte families, with Vice President Sara Duterte previously criticizing the use of force in pursuing Quiboloy.

Quiboloy founded KOJC in 1985 after hearing God whisper to him, “I will use you,” at an event hosted by American pastor Billy Graham in South Korea in 1973, the organization said.

He has long wielded political influence in the Philippines, using his religious following to support candidates in elections. He remains a prominent figure with considerable media presence, broadcasting sermons from his luxurious Garden of Eden Restored estate through his own TV and social media platforms. Despite his arrest, Quiboloy insists his legal troubles were caused by the “devil” and has denied FBI interference in his case.

Melissa Enoch

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