Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, FBI-Wanted Filipino Pastor and Founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Arrested in Davao City After Prolonged Standoff with Supporters
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
6 minutes read. Updated 4:04AM GMT Mon, 9 September, 2024
Filipino pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, a fugitive wanted by both the FBI and local authorities, has been apprehended in Davao City. The arrest, which followed a tense standoff with police and his supporters, marks a significant development in a case that has captured international attention.
Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” and founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), had been evading capture for three years. He was finally taken into custody after a dramatic standoff at his church’s sprawling 30-hectare (75-acre) compound in the southern Philippines.
The confrontation began when nearly 2,000 police officers surrounded the KOJC compound, leading to clashes with Quiboloy’s supporters, who reportedly threw stones and blocked roads with burning tires. The standoff, which lasted for more than two weeks, saw the police issue a 24-hour ultimatum for the preacher and his aides to surrender. After an intense negotiation, Quiboloy and four aides emerged from the compound four hours later, complying with the order.
Philippine Interior Minister Benhur Abolos confirmed the arrest in a Facebook post, stating that Quiboloy had “been caught.” The detainees were subsequently flown to Manila by military aircraft and are now held at the national police headquarters.
Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Director of Police Regional Office 11, expressed gratitude for the cooperation of KOJC members and supporters, emphasizing the importance of facing the law as a step towards healing. “I thank him (Quiboloy) for the realization to face the law. I also thanked the KOJC members and supporters for their cooperation and I hope this is the start of healing,” Torre III said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the arrest, expressing relief at the end of the extensive operation. He assured that Quiboloy would receive due process, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. “Although he is a very prominent person… we will treat him like any other arrested person and will respect his rights,” Marcos Jr. stated.
Quiboloy’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, indicated that the pastor chose to surrender to prevent further violence within the KOJC compound. The 74-year-old preacher faces a 2021 indictment in the United States, accusing him and his associates of operating a sex trafficking ring and labor trafficking scheme. Allegations include coercing young women into sexual activities under threats of “eternal damnation” and defrauding church members through a bogus charity in California.
Founded in 1985, the KOJC has grown into a global organization with claims of seven million followers. The church operates various businesses, including a college, resort, and media outlets. Quiboloy was a prominent supporter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, often appearing on church-linked media during Duterte’s controversial tenure as mayor of Davao City.
As Quiboloy faces legal proceedings, the international community watches closely, marking the end of a complex and high-profile manhunt.
Meta Description: Filipino pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, wanted by the FBI on charges of sexual abuse and human trafficking, has been arrested in the Philippines after a tense standoff with police and supporters. The arrest marks the end of a high-stakes operation involving nearly 2,000 officers.
