Filipino Preacher Quiboloy Captured After Two-Week Manhunt

Apollo Quiboloy, a prominent Filipino preacher, has been apprehended following an extensive two-week search operation. The capture of the controversial religious figure was announced on September 8, 2024, by Benhur Abalos, the Department of Interior and Local Government chief in the Philippines.

Quiboloy, who founded the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in 1985, is facing serious allegations in both his home country and the United States. The charges against him include orchestrating a sex and labor trafficking scheme, child abuse, and sexual abuse of minors.

The arrest took place within Quiboloy's expansive 75-acre compound in the southern Philippines, which belongs to his religious organization. Jean Fajardo, a police spokesperson, revealed that negotiations led to Quiboloy's surrender after authorities issued a 24-hour ultimatum.

The KOJC, established in Davao City, has reportedly grown to claim approximately 6 million members worldwide over the past 39 years. Quiboloy, known for his self-proclaimed titles such as "owner of the universe" and "the appointed son of God," has been a controversial figure in Philippine society.

In addition to the charges in the Philippines, Quiboloy is wanted by the FBI in a separate investigation. A federal grand jury in California indicted him in 2021 on multiple counts, including conspiracy and sex trafficking of children. The indictment alleges that Quiboloy and his associates recruited women and girls, some as young as 12, to work as his personal assistants in a sex trafficking operation that reportedly lasted from 2002 to 2018.

"For over 15 years, the victims were forced to devote their lives and bodies to Quiboloy, including by regularly engaging in sexual acts with him in what he called the 'night duty.'"

The raid on Quiboloy's compound, which began on August 24, 2024, involved thousands of law enforcement officials. During the operation, two apparent trafficking victims were rescued, including a 20-year-old man who had allegedly been lured away from home in 2022 with false promises of a scholarship.

Quiboloy's arrest marks a significant development in a case that has drawn international attention. The Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development emphasized the gravity of the allegations, stating that they "strike at the very core of what we stand for: protecting those who cannot protect themselves."

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to highlight the complex intersections of religion, power, and alleged exploitation in the Philippines and beyond.