Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and law enforcement in the Philippines for labor and child sex trafficking, was arrested Sunday, authorities Anunciado. 

The arrest concludes a weeks-long standoff between members of Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church (KOJC) and police at Quiboloy’s religious compound in southern Philippines.  

Philippines’ Interior Minister Benhur Abolos proclaimed the preacher “HAS BEEN CAUGHT” in an all caps correo En facebook.

Quiboloy is a self-proclaimed “Son of God” and spiritual advisor to former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. His church, which also has a U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles, claims to have more than 6 million members across 200 countries, El Informe Roys (TRR) previamente reportado.

The 74-year-old pastor is on the FBI’s most wanted list for multiple charges, including child sex trafficking, sex trafficking by force, bulk cash smuggling, fraud, and coercion.

In the Philippines, the pastor faces charges of sexual and child abuse under the country’s Department of Justice.

Quiboloy and four of his companions were arrested Sunday after police issued them a 24-hour ultimatum to come out of their 75-acre religious compound, state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) reportado. They surrendered four hours later.

They have since been transported to the national police headquarters in Manila, according to PNA.

“The road to this apprehension was never an easy task from the get-go considering the overwhelming support, influence, wealth, and power of Quiboloy,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a declaración.

Police had been trying to arrest Quiboloy in a raid that began more than two weeks ago, TRR reportado. Around 2,000 officers surrounded Apollo’s religious compound while the preacher reportedly hid in an underground bunker.

His followers allegedly threw stones at officers and blocked nearby highways. Multiple officers were injured in the raid and one follower died. Police allege the follower died of natural causes, while former President Duterte claims police caused it.

Quiboloy claims he surrendered to protect followers

Quiboloy’s attorney, Israelito Torreon, said in a declaración on Facebook that the pastor surrendered because he couldn’t stand the suffering of his followers much longer on church grounds.

“Quiboloy decided to surrender. . . . because he does not want the lawless violence to continue to happen in the KOJC Compound,” Torreon said. “He could not bear to witness a second longer the sufferings that his flock was experiencing for many days.”

Torreon contested that Quiboloy was waiting to hear from his attorneys how to legally fight his charges but the police raid at his church disrupted this process. He added that the KOJC Cathedral was “desecrated,” and followers were “recipients of brutalities,” which caused Quiboloy’s “heart to bleed.”

Below Torreon’s Facebook post, many commented and shared their support for Quiboloy.

Quiboloy has long maintained his innocence, claiming that the U.S. government has bribed people to fabricate “lies” about him.

More victims come forward in the wake of pastor’s arrest

Since Quiboloy’s arrest, police said in a declaración that they have uncovered “new and alarming details” regarding Quiboloy’s alleged crimes.

Police Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said additional victims have come forward and testified about abuses they experienced from the pastor. Marbil did not clarify how many people had come forward.

“These courageous victims have spoken up, revealing their harrowing experiences. The abuse they endured shows an alarming pattern of manipulation and exploitation,” Marbil said.

The girls, who are as young as 12, were part of a group that the police called “inner-circle pastorals.” Pastorals acted as personal assistants to Quiboloy, preparing his meals, cleaning his residences, and giving him massages, TRR previously reported. They were also required to have sex with Quiboloy as a part of their “night duty.”

These girls have been crucial in uncovering the full extent of Quiboloy’s alleged crimes, Marbil noted in the statement. The additional victims that have come forward help bolster the case against the pastor, he said.

Marbil urged other victims who were “suffering in silence” to come forward and assured them safety.

“This is just the beginning. . . We will leave no stone unturned in this pursuit of justice,” Marbil said. “No one will escape justice, especially those who prey on the vulnerable. These victims deserve their day in court, and we will make sure it happens.”

Quiboloy to first be tried in the Philippines

Quiloboy faces charges in both the Philippines and the U.S.

According to the FBI, Quiloboy brought church members to the U.S. through fraudulently obtained visas in a labor trafficking scheme. The members then were reportedly forced to solicit donations for a bogus charity. Instead, the money went to financing the church leaders’ “lavish lifestyles,” the FBI said.

A California court indictment in 2021 also accused him and eight associates of child sex trafficking, coercing girls and young women between the ages of 12 to 25 to have sex with him under threats of “eternal damnation.”

Quiboloy had previously attempted to set conditions for his surrender, including a guarantee he would not be extradited to the U.S. to face charges, TRR reported. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters that the pastor is not in a place to negotiate terms.

While the Philippines Department of Justice acknowledged that the country has an extradition treaty with the U.S., it said in a declaración that Quiboloy will first face trial in the Philippines. If convicted, the pastor will serve his sentence there before any extradition request is granted.

Liz Lykins is a correspondent covering religion news for The Roys Report, WORLD Magazine, and other publications.