THE self-proclaimed “Owner of the Universe” has been arrested after a two-week manhunt over allegations of sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Celebrity Filipino pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who also calls himself “appointed son of God”, denies the allegations.
Apollo has been arrested, it’s been announcedAFP
Apollo meeting supportersEzra Acayan/Getty Images
Some of his many loyal fansTed ALJIBE / AFP
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr said: “Apollo Quiboloy has been caught.”
He is also on the FBI’s most wanted list with US authorities hunting him over allegations of sex trafficking and cash smuggling.
Cops in late August reportedly discovered a secret door inside Apollo’s underground lair.
More than 2,000 cops were deployed to probe the sprawling den after suspicions he was hiding there in a bunker.
There were fears he may have fled his hideout through a secret underground tunnel.
Filipino authorities on Sunday didn’t provide detail on how or where he was caught.
He has been charged with human trafficking in a Filipino court.
Apollo, 74, is the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, which has millions of followers.
The US Justice Department charged him with sex trafficking back in 2021.
Apollo is said to have employed girls and women aged 12 to 25 to work as personal assistants – but they were allegedly required to have sex with him.
Regional police chief Nicholas Torre, who led the manhunt from the cops’ headquarters in Davao, confirmed the arrest.
He said: “This is a concerted effort of everyone involved.
“Let’s be proud. We did our job today.”
Fierce supporters of Apollo had tried to block cops from entering his compound in August.
Protests erupted with yelling, fires and even claims the loyal fans hurled rocks at police.
Davao police spokesperson Major Catherina dela Rey said cops had to use teargas to quell the angry mob after they became “unruly and violent”.
Police said they wouldn’t leave until they’d captured the preacher.
He’s a longtime pal of former Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte, who he worked for as a spiritual adviser.
Who is Apollo Quiboloy?
APOLLO Quiboloy is a preacher in the Philippines who is known for his Kingdom of Jesus Christ cult group.
The spiritual leader has claimed in the past that he is the “son of God”.
He sensationally managed to convince his diehard fans that in 1973 he was approached by God who whispered to him “I will use you”.
In 2019, he even declared that his powers helped to stop a major earthquake from hitting southern Philippines.
Many residents believed his words and were taken under Quiboloy’s wing.
But in 2021, the US Department of Justice charged him with sex trafficking of children, fraud and coercion and bulk cash smuggling.
Years of investigations left him accused of trafficking his followers to the US to gain donations for his hoax charities.
Authorities also say he has allegedly ordered his female and underage followers to have sex with him by citing it as part of their religious duties.
The FBI released a wanted poster for Quiboloy in 2022.
In the Philippines, he has also been charged with human trafficking and sexual harassment relating to the alleged abuse of a teenager in 2011.
Quiboloy said the “devil” was responsible for the allegations against him.
He blamed the FBI of trying to “meddle” with his case.
The preacher shot to fame in the Philippines when he started to work for former President Rodrigo Duterte as his spiritual adviser.
After Duterte stepped down in 2022, Quiboloy continued to gain followers to his Christian cult.
He now claims to preach to over seven million people.
Apollo supporters clash with cops outside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao cityEPA/CERILO EBRANO
The loyal followers tried to block cops entering the compound, police saidEPA/CERILO EBRANO
They were snapped by protesting against the manhunt for their leaderEPA/CERILO EBRANO
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