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Reuters

Philippine celebrity pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who calls himself the “Appointed Son of God”, pleaded not guilty on Friday to several criminal charges including sexually abusing a child during arraignments in two separate courts, his lawyer said.
Quiboloy, leader of the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church which says it has six million followers worldwide, arrived at the heavily guarded Pasig court in a bulletproof helmet and vest.
He told his followers to “stay strong” before police took him into the courtroom.
“He is innocent,” his lawyer, Israelito Torreon, told reporters after his client’s first arraignment. Quiboloy also pleaded not guilty to the sexual abuse charges at a Quezon City court via teleconferencing.
Quiboloy, a long-time friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is on a US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s “most wanted” list after he was indicted for sexual abuse, human trafficking and other crimes.
He will remain in detention at a police headquarters for now, the police said.

The 74-year old pastor was arrested on Sunday at the KOJC’s 30-hectare compound in southern Davao city after a weeks-long police operation.
After his arrest, the police said more people had come forward alleging they had been sexually abused by him.
“It is our firm belief that the truth regarding the alleged criminal acts of Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused will ultimately be disclosed,” Joahna Paula Domingo, a co-counsel for one of the alleged victims, said in a statement.
“These cases have been filed in 2019 and we have long been seeking justice for the complainant since then,” she said.
In a statement issued by KOJC ahead of Quiboloy’s arraignment, the church said that its “cardinal rule” was that members are “not forced to do anything against their will”.


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The Philippines

Philippine ‘Son of God’ pastor pleads not guilty to child abuse, trafficking charges

Apollo Quiboloy (middle, in a helmet and flak jacket) leaves the Pasig Regional Trial Court. He pleaded not guilty on Friday to several criminal charges including sexually abusing a child. Photo: AP

Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ church which says it has six million followers worldwide, arrives at the heavily guarded Pasig court in a bulletproof helmet and vest. Photo: EPA-EFE

Infamous Philippine pastor’s arrest seen as major blow to Duterte’s political fortunes

Apollo Quiboloy (centre), a Filipino preacher accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking in the Philippines and similar charges in the United States, is escorted beside Philippine Secretary of Interior and Local Government Benhur Abalos (left) during a press conference at the Camp Crame police headquarters in Quezon City on Monday. Photo: AP

Apollo Quiboloy speaking during a press conference in Davao City on May 23, 2016. Photo: AFP

Supporters of Apollo Quiboloy hold a prayer rally at a park in Manila on March 4. Photo: AFP

Anti-riot police block supporters of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy as they stage a protest rally outside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao city on August 26. Photo: EPA-EFE

Philippine pastor who styles himself as ‘son of god’ accused of rape at senate hearing

Apollo Quiboloy, head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect, is wanted by the FBI.  Photo: AFP 

Senator Risa Hontiveros at the senate hearing on January 23. Photo: Facebook/hontiverosrisa

This image shows Apollo Quiboloy on a screen during a service of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in Wanchai, Hong Kong, on July 24, 2016. Photo: Felix Wong 

A witness at the senate hearing on January 23. Photo: Facebook/hontiverosrisa 

Philippine sect leader Apollo Quiboloy speaks during a forum in Davao City on March 19, 2010. Photo: AFP

Former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte has defended Apollo Quiboloy in the past. Photo: Getty Images/TNS 

Philippines to charge US-wanted Duterte ally, the self-proclaimed ‘Son of God’, with sexual abuse

Evangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect, is being charged with sexual abuse by the Philippines. Photo: AFP

Supporters of Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Philippines-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, hold a rally at a park in Manila on Monday, the same day the Philippines said it would file sexual abuse charges against the pastor. Photo: AFP

Philippines’ Duterte faces ‘Achilles heel’ in election over his links to wanted pastor

Then-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte addresses Filipino overseas workers in 2018 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Photo: AP

Apollo Quiboloy, head of “the Kingdom of Jesus Christ”, speaks at a press conference in Davao City in 2016. Photo: AFP

Outgoing Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte stands beside incoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr as they attend the oath-taking rites of Vice-President-elect Sara Duterte in Davao City, in 2022. Photo: AP

Supporters of Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Philippines-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, hold a prayer rally at a park in Manila on March 4. Photo: AFP

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

Apollo Quiboloy, a long-time friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is on a US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s ‘most wanted’ list


Apollo Quiboloy, a long-time friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is on a US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s ‘most wanted’ list.


Crime

Rodrigo Duterte

Sexual harassment and assault

Religion