Wanted religious leader, sought by the FBI, apprehended in the Philippines following a tense confrontation between law enforcement and his supporters.
The conclusion of a tense standoff sees the apprehension of the preacher, who had evaded authorities for three years, by law enforcement in the Philippines.
Interior Minister Benhur Abolos shared on Facebook that the evasive figure, identified as Quiboloy, self-proclaimed "Divinely Appointed Son of God" and founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church (KOJC), was captured.
National police forces, alongside four of Quiboloy's aides, were apprehended in the southern city of Davao after willingly surrendering, as reported by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
At 1:30 p.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET), the detainees were given a 24-hour ultimatum to vacate the sprawling 30-hectare (75 acre) church compound. They complied four hours later, according to PNA.
Transportation by military aircraft relocated the prisoners from Davao to the national police headquarters in Manila by Sunday night, as per PNA's report.
Director of Police Regional Office 11, Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, shared, “I appreciate his resolution to acknowledge the law. I also thanked the KOJC members and followers for their cooperation. I hope this marks the beginning of healing.”
Police had been attempting to apprehend the preacher and five suspected associates in a raid initiated over two weeks prior in Davao.
With nearly 2,000 officers encircling the church compound, Quiboloy was believed to be in hiding. His supporters allegedly pelted stones at officers and obstructed a highway with burning tires, claimed Davao police.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed relief in a press conference following the arrest after a significant police and military operation. He advocated for due process and transparency, assuring that all involved would be held accountable.
Quiboloy’s attorney, Israelito Torreon, declared that his client surrendered to halt the ongoing lawlessness within the KOJC Compound, as reported by the state broadcaster PTV.
A United States indictment from 2021 implicated the 74-year-old preacher, along with his associates, in operating a sex trafficking ring that coerced girls and young women into sexual acts under threats of "eternal damnation" for nearly 15 years. Quiboloy refused all accusations levied against him.
Additionally, the indictment accused Quiboloy of running a labor trafficking scheme that deceptively brought church members to the U.S., using forged visas, and compelling donations for a fictitious charity based in California, according to U.S. prosecutors.
Quiboloy established the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church in 1985, rising to prominence during the period of televangelism's popularity in the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country.
Millions of followers reside in the Philippines, with claims of seven million worldwide. The church manages various businesses, including a college, resort, and media outlets, as stated on its official website.
Quiboloy maintained a close relationship with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who frequently appeared on a church-affiliated media network during his tenure as the mayor of Davao, a hub for Duterte's controversial anti-drug campaign that human rights groups claim led to countless extrajudicial killings.
The arrest of Quiboloy in the Philippines has garnered global attention, with many nations expressing their interest in the case due to its serious allegations.
Despite Quiboloy's status as a prominent figure in Asia, particularly in the Philippines, the world is now watching as his legal proceedings unfold.
