Filipino Preacher Apollo Quiboloy Arrested Amid Abuse Charges
A Filipino preacher, Apollo Quiboloy, has been arrested in connection with allegations of sexual abuse and human trafficking in both the Philippines and the United States, officials announced on Sunday.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos confirmed Quiboloy’s arrest in a brief statement on Facebook, with further details pending. Philippine police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil also verified the arrest without elaborating on specifics.
Quiboloy, who had been in hiding, faced a court order for his arrest following accusations of child and sexual abuse. Additionally, the Philippine Senate had ordered his arrest for failing to appear in committee hearings related to the allegations.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for Quiboloy to surrender and assured him of fair treatment under the law.
The preacher, alongside his lawyer, has denied the charges, claiming they were fabricated by former members of his religious group, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
In 2021, U.S. federal prosecutors indicted Quiboloy for allegedly coercing women and underage girls into sexual acts, threatening them with abuse and “eternal damnation.” He faces multiple charges, including sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and money laundering.
In August, police raided Quiboloy’s vast religious compound in Davao City, utilizing equipment to detect hidden individuals but failed to locate him at the site.
Quiboloy, who has previously claimed to have prevented major earthquakes, was a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for extrajudicial killings related to his drug war.