A pastor wanted by U.S. federal authorities for his alleged role in a child sex trafficking scheme has been arrested in the Philippines.

Apollo Quiboloy, who reportedly has been called “appointed son of God,” is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s ‘Most Wanted’ list.

He faces accusations of “Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, and Sex Trafficking of Children.”

NEW – Philippines arrests pastor wanted by US for child sex trafficking https://t.co/0ay8itYbnI

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 8, 2024

“Pastor Quiboloy has been caught!” Philippines Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. posted on Facebook.

“He has denied wrongdoing,” Reuters noted.

Celebrity pastor Apollo Quiboloy is caught and arrested on sex crimes charges https://t.co/CRgbtyOd3w pic.twitter.com/Ep4Y0Xkx5H

— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) September 8, 2024

Per Reuters:

Over 2,000 police were deployed since last month to search a sprawling compound in the southern city of Davao owned by Quiboloy’s church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), on suspicion that he was hiding there in a bunker.

Philippine police spokesperson Jean Fajardo confirmed to reporters on Sunday Quiboloy was captured inside the compound, but did not provide further details.

Quiboloy and four other co-accused were transported by military plane to the capital region on Sunday night after surrendering to authorities, Fajardo said. The five were detained at a detention facility inside the national police headquarters.

“At around 1:30 p.m (0530 GMT), a negotiation took place for their surrender because we gave them a 24-hour ultimatum,” Fajardo told reporters.

Quiboloy is followed by millions of people in the Philippines, where church leaders hold heavy sway in politics. He is a longtime friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

LOOK: The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has announced the arrest of fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Sunday, September 8. The announcement comes weeks after local, regional, and national authorities began their search in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC)… pic.twitter.com/rk3eCw5fKs

— The GUIDON (@TheGUIDON) September 8, 2024

“Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, the founder of a Philippines-based church, is wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round,” the FBI wrote.

“Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or ‘pastorals,’ for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called ‘night duty,’” the agency continued.

“Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, for 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 bulk cash smuggling, and on November 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest,” it added.

CBS News reports:

Abalos did not provide details about the arrest or the circumstances surrounding it. Rommel Francisco Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police, also confirmed Quiboloy’s arrest but did not elaborate, the Associated Press reported.

Officials in the Philippines, including President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., have long been calling for the fugitive to surrender as he’s remained on the run from charges there related to sexual abuse and human trafficking.

The pastor faces similar charges in the U.S., where he appears on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list for what the agency describes as “his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States.”

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

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