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 s.