Local news reports from the Philippines indicate that Interior Minister Benhur Abolos confirmed through a social media post that the fugitive pastor Quiboloy, who has been evading justice for 3 years, has been apprehended in Davao City. Police had been attempting to capture Quiboloy, who had been staying at the compound of his Jesus Christ Kingdom Church in the southern city of Davao for the past two weeks, but his supporters were preventing law enforcement officers from entering the compound.
Following a 24-hour ultimatum issued by the police and armed forces, Pastor Quiboloy surrendered to the security forces. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr stated, “We will treat him like any other detainee and respect his rights. We will see the process through to the end. The process will be transparent. Everyone involved in the process will be held accountable.”
Marcos clarified that there has been no extradition request from the United States for Quiboloy, emphasizing that the pastor must be tried in local courts and respond to the charges brought against him. Quiboloy was on the FBI’s wanted list.
In November 2021, the US Federal Prosecution Office prepared an indictment against Quiboloy and two senior church officials on charges including conspiracy, forced sexual exploitation of children and women, fraud, sham marriages, money laundering, cash smuggling, and visa fraud.
In a statement made by federal prosecutors, it was announced that the leader of the Philippines-based church operating in the Van Nuys area of Los Angeles was accused of sexually abusing women and underage girls coerced through “cursing” threats. The Jesus Christ Kingdom Church, founded in 1985 and led by the 74-year-old Quiboloy, allegedly has around 6 million members in approximately 200 countries.
Quiboloy, a close friend of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has described himself as the “anointed son of God.”