Key charges against Philippines' 'Appointed Son of God' Apollo Quiboloy

MANILA — Philippine pastor Apollo Quiboloy, self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God", has been apprehended after a weeks-long search by more than 2,000 police officers of his huge church compound in the southern city of Davao.

The celebrity evangelist faces charges of sex trafficking and sexual abuse of minors. He denies wrongdoing and his lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Quiboloy also figures on the "most wanted" list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States, where he was charged with running a sex-trafficking operation, among other crimes.

Key points of the us indictment

In 2021, a US federal grand jury indicted Quiboloy, leader of the Philippines-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), along with several of his associates, on charges including sex trafficking, fraud, coercion and money laundering.

Sexual abuse and coercion

Quiboloy, and his associates, were accused of sexually exploiting women and underage girls, under the pretence of religious duty.

The indictment alleged they recruited females aged 12 to 25 as personal assistants, or "pastorals." It said they had been required to prepare Quiboloy's meals, clean his residences, give him massages, and travel with him.

The pastorals were coerced to have sex with Quiboloy during what they called "night duty," under the threat of "eternal damnation" and physical abuse, according to the indictment.

Trafficking

The indictment also accused Quiboloy and others of participating in a labour trafficking scheme that exploited church members, forcing them into sham marriages and fraudulently obtaining visas to allow them to stay in the US to solicit money.

Church members were ordered to inform the public that the donations would help