Apollo Quiboloy, a Filipino preacher entangled in controversies of sexual abuse and human trafficking both in the Philippines and the United States, was compelled to surrender after authorities issued a 24-hour ultimatum. Quiboloy, along with four colleagues, gave himself up at their religious group’s expansive headquarters, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, in Davao City and was subsequently detained.
Following his surrender, Quiboloy was transported aboard a Philippine Air Force plane to a secure detention center in Manila. Here, in a thoroughly monitored environment, formal procedures including the taking of mugshots and fingerprints were carried out.
The preacher had been evading arrest after charges were leveled against him concerning allegations of child and sexual abuse which initiated a court-ordered arrest earlier this year. His avoidance of public committee hearings further led the Philippine Senate to decree his arrest.
Despite the serious accusations and legal confrontations, Quiboloy denied all charges, attributing them to conspiracies by former disgruntled members of his congregation. In 2021, U.S federal prosecutors also indicted him, charging him and his associates with multiple counts including conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and money laundering among others.
His religious empire was not just spiritual but extensive, featuring infrastructures such as a cathedral and a school, spread over a vast area directly accessible from Davao International Airport. This compound was subject to a significant police raid which, despite the resistance by his followers, did not culminate in his capture at that time.
Quiboloy, who claimed divine powers such as stopping earthquakes and maintained a close relationship with former President Rodrigo Duterte, remains a contentious figure highlighted by fervent followers and critical opponents alike.
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