Some 2,000 police in the Philippines have begun the sixth day of their hunt for “cult leader” and self-proclaimed “master of the universe” Apollo Quiboloy, who is believed to be hiding deep within the 75-acre compound of his church in the southern city of Davao.
The preacher to six million people is accused of heinous crimes, indicted in the United States for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children, among a litany of other alleged offenses.
A tip-off from a “whistleblower” helped police raid a facility they believe has been used to store captive women on several floors, and two women they believe to be sex slaves have since been “rescued”.
Although Quiboloy denies the accusations – and has claimed that those after him are agents of the devil – the FBI has included him on its most wanted list, detailing in gruesome detail the alleged reality of his “labor trafficking scheme” and sexual crimes.
The Office cites horrific allegations that women at the compound were forced to live there, perform various domestic tasks and even subjected to sexual abuse known as “night duty” among victims.
Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “designated son of God,” is on the FBI’s most wanted list
Quiboloy (pictured) has denied criminal charges against him and his religious group.
From above: The Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City, Philippines
Apollo Quiboloy is the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church (KOJC), a restorationist Christian church based in the Philippines that claims to have six million followers.
Quiboloy reportedly founded the church after returning from “an exile in Tamayong,” proclaiming that he had been guided by God through dreams on the slopes of Mount Matutum to found his church in the late 1990s.
Since then, Quiboloy has attracted a large number of fervent followers across the country, earning him the loyalty of several politicians and state officials.
Rodrigo Duterte, the populist former president, saw the value of Quiboloy’s support when he ran for mayor in 1988 and sought his attention.
Quiboloy maintained a carefully crafted public persona, appearing in national press interviews and greeting supporters on the streets of Davao as recently as 2022.
American interest in Quiboloy brought international attention to the preacher’s alleged wrongdoing; a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and large amounts of money smuggling.
In November 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest.
The FBI named Quiboloy among its most wanted and detailed some of the alleged crimes of which he is accused.
The Office is seeking Quiboloy for his alleged involvement in a labor trafficking scheme that “brought church members to the United States through fraudulently obtained visas and forced members to solicit donations for a fake charity that were used to fund church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”
Those who managed to apply for these “fake” donations were allegedly “forced into sham marriages” or obtained fraudulent visas to continue working in the United States throughout the year.
The FBI also cites allegations that women were recruited to work as personal or “pastoral” assistants, preparing meals for Quiboloy, cleaning his homes, giving him massages and having sex with him in what they called “night services.”
Victims also allegedly faced threats of abuse and “eternal damnation” unless they served the self-proclaimed “son of God.”
The Philippine police received additional help from a woman named ‘Amanda’, a whistleblower and former KOJC ‘full-time miracle worker’, who testified that she was one of many women detained after being forced into a sexual relationship with Quiboloy ‘at a young age’.
The Daily Tribune, a local outlet that has been following the case closely, reported that this was presented to the victims as a “special privilege” for a select few.
On August 24, the Philippine National Police (PNP) raided a 75-acre compound in Davao City associated with the KOJC in search of Quiboloy.
The complex reportedly covers three levels, with two reserved for the “most attractive” women Quiboloy kept as “offerings” and a third apparently used to confine other women, the report said. Grandstand.
Disturbing video showed police searching the filthy, unlit lower floors, empty but still showing signs of life, as dirty laundry lay strewn across large, open rooms filled with what appeared to be rows of low wooden beds.
Other floors looked more like hotel hallways, some with individual rooms containing neatly made single beds, potted plants and posters as decoration, others were more sparsely decorated and featured multiple bunk beds or double beds and couches.
The church says the pastor (center) is being persecuted because “the devil… will try to eliminate a good man… who gives his life for his fellow men, who are oppressed by evil, at any price.”
Disturbing images show a room still filled with personal belongings in the underground bunker
Some rooms are equipped with bunk beds, while others are designated as single rooms.
Supporters of religious leader Apolo Quiboloy organize a protest rally in front of the complex
Quiboloy has protested his innocence and his group had said he was ready to face charges in a court of law before his sudden disappearance.
But constant raids on his compound give police hope of bringing him to justice.
Using radar technology capable of detecting heartbeats through concrete walls, they say they have now found signs of life deep below the surface, where Quiboloy is believed to be hiding with dozens of fans.
Quiboloy and his lawyer say the attempt to arrest him is part of a disinformation campaign led by critics and former members of his church, who were expelled from the group after committing irregularities.
In their defense, many KOJC supporters have come out in recent days to protest the raid on the complex, clashing with police and declaring their innocence.
At least one person died of a heart attack during the protests. Police say this had nothing to do with their operations.
At least 18 people have been arrested.
