Apollo Quiboloy, a Filipino pastor and the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), has recently attracted global attention following his arrest in the Philippines. Claiming the title of 'Appointed Son of God,' Quiboloy has been a significant and contentious figure in both religious and political spheres.

At 74 years old, according to the FBI, Quiboloy founded KOJC, a prominent church in the Philippines that boasts millions of followers. The church is well-known for its considerable influence in the country.

In 2019, Quiboloy claimed he stopped a major earthquake from hitting the southern Philippines. Additionally, Quiboloy's close association with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has further amplified his prominence.

Criminal allegations against Quiboloy

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Quiboloy with sex trafficking. He is alleged to have trafficked girls and women aged 12 to 25, coercing them to work as personal assistants, or ‘pastorals,’ and compelling them to engage in sexual acts with him. Additionally, Quiboloy faces charges from U.S. authorities for bulk cash smuggling and participation in a scheme that exploited church members. These members were reportedly transported to the U.S. on fraudulent visas and forced to raise funds for a bogus charity, with the money used instead to support church operations and the opulent lifestyles of its leaders.

Why Quiboloy is on the FBI's most wanted list

Quiboloy's placement on the FBI's Most Wanted list is due to the severity of the allegations against him. The FBI has issued a wanted notice for Quiboloy for serious crimes, including sex trafficking and extensive financial fraud. The accusations involve significant abuse, exploitation, and major financial offenses. The FBI's pursuit highlights the seriousness of these charges and ongoing efforts to hold him accountable for these high-profile crimes.

Quiboloy and his co-accused were flown on a Philippine air force C-130 plane to the capital Sunday night and locked up in a heavily guarded detention center at the national police headquarters, where their mugshots and fingerprints were taken, police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a news briefing.

On September 9, Quiboloy was apprehended in Davao, Philippines, following a two-week manhunt. This arrest came after a major police operation that saw around 2,000 officers deployed to the KOJC compound on August 24. After negotiations, Quiboloy and four other sect members surrendered without incident.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has indicated that extradition to the U.S. is not currently being pursued, with the focus instead on addressing local charges of child abuse, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Marcos commended the police for their efforts, underscoring the effectiveness of the Philippine judicial system.

Throughout his evasion of justice, Quiboloy sought guarantees from Manila to prevent being subject to "extraordinary rendition," a U.S. practice involving the transfer of detainees to other countries for imprisonment and interrogation. As Quiboloy faces trial in the Philippines, his arrest marks a crucial development in the investigation of his criminal activities and their broader implications both locally and internationally.

(With inputs from AFP, AP)