Fugitive pastor arrested for sex crimes

An influential Filipino pastor wanted in the Philippines and the United States for child sex trafficking has been arrested, ending a two-week conflict between police and his followers.

Police have attempted to arrest Apollo Quiboloy, who claims to be the “Appointed Son of God,” in a raid on the sprawling grounds of his church.

Violent clashes broke out between thousands of his followers and riot police; a church member died of a heart attack during the raid.

Mr Quiboloy, whose Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) claims to have seven million followers, denies all allegations against him.

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Mr. Quiboloy with child sex trafficking, fraud and coercion, and cash smuggling.

According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), he trafficked girls and women from the Philippines to the United States, where they were forced to raise money for a supposed charity.

He also demanded that his personal assistants, known as “pastorals,” have sex with him, the FBI said.

But while all this was happening, Quiboloy rose to national prominence under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, having previously served as the former leader's spiritual adviser.

However, his fortunes changed when Mr Duterte resigned in June 2022.

Philippine authorities soon charged him with child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

For two weeks, thousands of police officers have been locked in a standoff with supporters of Mr Quiboloy as they raided his 30-hectare KOJC compound in Davao. They said Mr Quiboloy was hiding in an underground bunker because surveillance devices were detecting heartbeats.

The complex houses around 40 buildings, including a cathedral, a school and even a hangar.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Monday that Mr Quiboloy was found in the complex's Bible school. He also said the pastor was arrested and did not surrender, contrary to earlier reports.

Witnesses provided important information that led to his arrest, Mr Abalos added.

Mr Quiboloy's lawyer, Israelito Torreon, had previously stated that his client had turned himself in “because he did not want the lawless violence to continue”.

Regional police chief Brigadier General Nicolas Torre said the arrest was the result of “concerted action by all those involved.”

Mr Quiboloy and four other people arrested with him were flown to the National Police headquarters in the capital Manila, where they are currently being held.

Before his arrest, Mr. Quiboloy said that the “devil” was behind his legal problems.

He also stated that he does not want the FBI to interfere in his case.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Marcos said the Philippines was not currently considering extraditing Mr Quiboloy.

The stalemate in the KOJC occurred amid a very public dispute between the Marcos and Duterte political families.

The U.S. Department of Justice sought his arrest several months before Duterte handed over power to current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but it was only during Marcos's term that authorities began pursuing the pastor.

While Mr Quiboloy was in hiding, Mr Duterte said he knew where he was but would not tell the police.

Mr Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, also accused the police of using “questionable” violence in pursuing Mr Quiboloy.

Mr. Quiboloy founded KOJC in Davao in 1985 after hearing God whisper to him, “I will use you,” at an event hosted by American pastor Billy Graham in South Korea in 1973, the organization says.

When he is not in Davao, he is seen traveling in his private jet.

He delivers his sermons from a glass pulpit in front of which are huge photographs of his lush hilltop estate entitled “The Garden of Eden Restored.”

These are broadcast on his own television, radio and social media network.

In addition to his long-standing ties to the Dutertes, Quiboloy increased his political influence by proposing candidates to his followers in elections, a common practice among religious leaders in a country where politics is based on clientelism rather than ideology.