HandoutA powerful Filipino priest has been detained, putting an end to a two-week-long conflict between officers and his fans. He is wanted in the Philippines and the US for child sex trafficking.
In a raid on his sprawling church substance, police have been attempting to apprehend Apollo Quiboloy, who claims to be the” Appointed Son of God.”
During the assault, violent verbal altercations broke out between anti-riot police officers and thousands of his followers, with one religion part passing away from a heart attack.
Mr Quiboloy, whose Kingdom of Jesus Christ ( KOJC) claims to have seven million followers, has denied all charges against him.
In 2021, the US Department of Justice ( DOJ) charged Mr Quiboloy with sex trafficking of children, fraud and coercion and bulk cash smuggling.
According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ), he trafficked girls and women from the Philippines to the US, where they are forced to pay for a fictitious charity.
He even required his feminine personal helpers, who are called “pastorals”, to have intercourse with him, the FBI said.
However, as all of this was happening, Rodrigo Duterte, who had formerly served as the original leader’s religious adviser, was gaining national traction as a result.
However, his riches turned when Mr Duterte stepped down in June 2022.
Shortly after his arrest, Filipino government began to question him for child abuse, sexual abuse, and individual prostitution.
” Quiet capitulation”
For two weeks, thousands of policemen have been engaged in a standoff with Mr Quiboloy’s followers, as they raided his 30-hectare ( 75-acre ) KOJC compound in Davao. Based on the tone of heartbeats that surveillance products detected, they claimed Mr. Quiboloy was hiding in an underground vault.
The intricate is home to some 40 structures, including a church, a school and perhaps a airport.
Mr Quiboloy’s prosecutor said the two-week-long hunt had turned the KOJC mixture into a “police garrison”, with one of their churches “desecreated”.
On Sunday, Mr Quiboloy surrendered happily after he was given a 24-hour “ultimatum”, said Col Jean Fajardo, the federal police director.
Mr Quiboloy’s attorney, Israelito Torreon, said his clientele surrendered “because he does not want the violent crime to continue to happen”.
Other than the fact that it took place in the substance, it was not immediately known what caused his imprisonment.
EPAThe local police captain, Brig Gen Nicolas Torre, said a” concerted efforts of all involved” led to the arrest.
Four other people who were detained with him and Mr. Quiboloy were flown to the federal police’s Manila office, where they are currently being held.
Before his arrest, Mr Quiboloy said that the “devil” was behind his legal difficulties.
He has also said that he does not want the FBI to “meddle” in his situation.
The Marcos and Duterte social families have been at odds with one another as a very open conflict has arisen since the conflict at the KOJC.
Prior to Mr. Duterte’s election as president Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the US Department of Justice had earlier charged him with child sex trafficking, fraud, and bulk cash smuggling. However, it was n’t until Mr. Marcos ‘ term that authorities began pursuing the pastor.
Mr. Duterte claimed he knew where he was but would n’t tell the police while Mr. Quiboloy was hiding out.
Mr Duterte’s child, Vice-President Sara Duterte also criticised authorities pursuing Mr Quiboloy of applying “questionable” power.