Fugitive Preacher Facing Sex Crime Accusations by the FBI Evades Capture by Philippine Law Enforcement amidst Protracted Supporter Confrontation
Self-proclaimed "divine son" Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, the 74-year-old head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, has been evading authorities for over three years.
A 2021 United States warrant implicates Quiboloy and his supposed associates in operating a sex trafficking operation, pressuring young women and minors into engaging in sexual activities with him under the threat of eternal retribution.
The wanted preacher is reportedly holed up in a 30-hectare (75 acre) enclave boasting a cathedral, a college, an underground shelter, and an airfield close to Davao International Airport, according to Philippine authorities.
Since the operation commenced on Saturday in this southern Philippines metropolis, police have been attempting to apprehend Quiboloy and five of his suspected allies. However, they've encountered strong resistance, at times violent, from his devotees who hurled rocks at officers and obstructed a major roadway with burning tires.
On Saturday, a 51-year-old church follower suffered a fatal heart attack, which was unrelated to the operation, according to the police.
Late on Sunday, police deployed tear gas to disperse the throng, reportedly leaving at least six officers injured and apprehending over 18 individuals during the prolonged standoff. Photographs released by police on Monday depicted officers nursing injuries and wearing bandages.
Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, the operation's leader, vowed the raid wouldn't cease until Quiboloy was caught. "We're not leaving," Torre told media on Saturday. "No one's backing down until we have him."
Renowned preacher
Quiboloy founded the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church in 1985 and gained prominence as evangelism grew popular in the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation where thousands also follow various Christian sects.
The church, which touts 7 million global followers, manages ventures such as a college, resort, and media outlets in the Philippines, as per its official website.
Quiboloy maintains a close relationship and serves as spiritual advisor to former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. During his tenure as the mayor of Davao, Duterte frequently appeared on a media platform connected to the church that spearheaded his controversial drug war, which human rights organizations claim resulted in countless unlawful killings.
In her Saturday Facebook post, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte accused the police of abusing their power and harassing church members during the raid on the compound.
The 2021 US warrant accuses Quiboloy and two suspected accomplices of facilitating sex trafficking, even of minor girls as young as 12. The defendants reportedly recruited young women and girls as personal assistants, forcing them to engage in sexual activities with the preacher.
Beyond sex trafficking, the US Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California's indictment also alleges that Quiboloy and his alleged associates orchestrated a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the US using falsely obtained visas and coerced them into soliciting donations for a phony charity.
Former church members have accused Quiboloy of sexual abuse and exploitation during Philippine senate investigations into the church that started in late 2021.
Quiboloy's legal representative denies the charges against the preacher and the church plans to retaliate against the police for raiding Quiboloy's compound.
In February, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appealed to Quiboloy to surrender and address the criminal accusations against him.
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, founded by Quiboloy in 1985, has a significant presence in Asia, with 7 million global followers and ventures spread across the Philippines.
Despite the 2021 US warrant implicating Quiboloy in sex trafficking allegations involving minors, he continues to maintain a strong following in Asia, including the Philippines.
