Apollo Quiboloy, a Filipino preacher and self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God", has been apprehended by authorities, as announced by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos. The arrest comes after Quiboloy faced accusations of sexual abuse and human trafficking in both the Philippines and the United States.
Quiboloy, who founded the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church in 1985, had been in hiding following a Philippine court order for his arrest. The religious leader, born on April 25, 1950, in Davao City, has built a significant following, with his church claiming 6 million members worldwide and a presence in over 200 countries.
The charges against Quiboloy are severe. In the Philippines, he is suspected of child and sexual abuse. Concurrently, U.S. federal prosecutors indicted him in November 2021 for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with women and underage girls who were threatened with "eternal damnation" if they did not comply.
"I urge Apollo Quiboloy to surrender and assure him of fair treatment by authorities."
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Quiboloy and his legal representation have consistently denied all allegations, asserting that they are fabrications by critics and former church members.
The search for Quiboloy intensified in August 2023, when approximately 2,000 police officers, supported by riot squads, conducted a raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ's vast 30-hectare compound in Davao City. The operation, which included equipment to detect underground hiding places, failed to locate the preacher.
Quiboloy's influence extends beyond religious circles. He was known to be a close supporter and spiritual adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration's war on drugs.
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, under Quiboloy's leadership, has expanded its reach through various means. The church operates a TV station called SMNI and runs several businesses, including a theme park in Davao. It also manages a children's foundation, the Children's Joy Foundation.
Quiboloy has made headlines in the past for controversial claims, including an assertion in 2019 that he had stopped a major earthquake from hitting the southern Philippines. Such statements, along with his prophecies about the end of the world, have contributed to accusations by some former members that the church operates as a cult.
As the legal proceedings against Quiboloy unfold, the case continues to draw attention to the intersection of religious leadership, political influence, and alleged criminal activities in the Philippines. The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has implications for both domestic and international law enforcement efforts.