Philippines arrests star pastor Quiboloy for sex crimes

MONTREAL — An influential evangelical preacher from the Philippines The man accused of sex trafficking and sexual abuse has been arrested, the Interior Minister said on Sunday.

Apollo Quiboloy, self-proclaimed “Owner of the Universe” and “proclaimed Son of God,” is wanted on child molestation and sexual abuse charges, as well as related human trafficking allegations. He denies any wrongdoing.

“Apollo Quiboloy has been captured,” Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on his Facebook page, without specifying how or where he had been.

The pastor is also on the FBI's most wanted list in the United States because he is also accused of sex trafficking and cash smuggling. However, he also denies any wrongdoing in these cases.

Last month, more than 2,000 police officers were deployed to search a sprawling compound in the southern city of Davao belonging to Quiboloy's church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), where he was suspected of hiding in a bunker.

Quiboloy is loved by millions of people in the Philippineswhere church leaders have great influence on politics. He is a longtime friend of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

—Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Kevin Liffey