Apollo Quiboloy arrested—DILG

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested after a weeks-long search at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos confirmed.

Abalos on Sunday, Sept. 8 announced the development on his Facebook page as he shared a photo of Quiboloy supposedly taken when he got nabbed.

In another post, Abalos also wrote, "Nahuli na po si Apollo Quiboloy."

Quiboloy’s legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, however, said in a statement that his client “voluntarily surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces.”

“He was not arrested, especially not by the Philippine National Police under the DILG,” he added.

“As usual, Pastor Quiboloy’s legal team shall continue to protect his rights under the Constitution and the laws as we prepare for his defense,” Topacio continued.

This comes after weeks of searching in the KOJC compound, which started on Aug. 24. Around 2,000 police officers stormed the area in an attempt to arrest Quiboloy, who faces several criminal cases including charges of sexual abuse of children, exploitation, and human trafficking, among others.

The Philippine STAR reported that a 50-year-old member suffered a heart attack during the raid while KOJC Minister Carlo Catiil said several others collapsed inside the compound at the time.

In an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said the raid had long been planned after they received information that Quiboloy was hiding within the compound and his co-accused.

Courts in Davao and Pasig issued arrest orders against Quiboloy and his associates for sexual abuse of a minor, child abuse, and qualified trafficking.

A Senate committee headed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros also issued an arrest order against Quiboloy after he refused to attend Senate hearings on his alleged crimes.