Philippines arrests prominent pastor for sex crimes

MANILA (Reuters) – An influential evangelical preacher from the Philippines accused of sex trafficking and sexual abuse has been arrested, authorities said on Sunday.

Apollo Quiboloy, self-proclaimed “Owner of the Universe” and “proclaimed Son of God,” is wanted on child molestation and sexual abuse charges, as well as related human trafficking allegations. He denies any wrongdoing.

“Apollo Quiboloy has been captured,” Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on his Facebook page, without specifying how or where he had been.

The pastor is also on the FBI's most wanted list in the United States because he is also accused of sex trafficking and cash smuggling. However, he also denies any wrongdoing in these cases.

Since last month, more than 2,000 police officers have been deployed to search a sprawling compound in the southern city of Davao belonging to Quiboloy's church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), where he was suspected of hiding in a bunker.

Philippine police spokesman Jean Fajardo confirmed to reporters on Sunday that Quiboloy was arrested in the complex, but did not provide further details.

Quiboloy and four other co-defendants were brought to the capital region on a military plane on Sunday evening after surrendering to authorities, Fajardo said. The five were being held in a detention center at the National Police headquarters.

“At around 1:30 p.m. (05:30 GMT), negotiations took place for their surrender because we had given them a 24-hour ultimatum,” Fajardo told reporters.

Quiboloy is followed by millions of people in the Philippines, where church leaders have great influence on politics. He is a longtime friend of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Kevin Liffey and David Evans)