Pastor Apollo Quiboloy Arrested on Abuse Charges

Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and close associate of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has been arrested after a two-week standoff at his Davao City compound. Quiboloy, who has gained notoriety for his self-proclaimed titles such as the 'appointed son of God,' faces serious allegations of child sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and human trafficking, which have led to his inclusion on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. The U.S. indictment claims that he and his church leaders coerced young women, some as young as 12, into sexual servitude and fraudulently obtained visas to exploit church members for donations. Following his arrest, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed there would be 'no special treatment' for Quiboloy and that he must face trial domestically before potential extradition to the U.S. Quiboloy has denied all allegations, claiming innocence through his legal counsel. The arrest has sparked discussions about the implications for the political landscape in the Philippines, particularly concerning the ties between Quiboloy and influential political figures.