Published on September 14, 2024, 12:38 am

Image source: Fox News

Apollo Quiboloy, high-profile televangelist and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, entered a plea of not guilty to charges of human trafficking and child sexual abuse following his arrest in the Philippines. Quiboloy turned himself over to Philippine authorities after a two-week standoff that placed him at the center of national attention.

The 74-year-old controversial religious figure who self-proclaims as the “anointed son of God” released a simple message to his followers post-arraignment: “Stay strong, stay strong”. Quiboloy’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, maintains his client’s innocence.

Promising justice for alleged victims, Joahna Paula Domingo, lawyer representing one alleged survivor, pledges through her statement that truth regarding Quiboloy and four other individuals charged alongside will come out. “It is our firm belief that the truth regarding the alleged criminal acts of Apollo C. Quiboloy and his co-accused will ultimately be disclosed,” she asserts.

Adding more contextual layer to this breaking news, Colonel Jean Fajardo from Philippine National Police stated that various individuals had stepped forth alleging victimization by Pastor Quiboloy during attempts to detain him at Davao City’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound.

PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil lauded these people for courageously sharing their harrowing tales stating their accounts reveal patterns suggestive of manipulation and exploitation leaving those particularly susceptible like ‘inner circle pastorals’ vulnerable with victims as young as 12 years old.

Parallelly investigations have been pursued internationally. The U.S Department of Justice in 2021 charged Quiboloy alongside two top administrators with trafficking young girls and women in U.S who were forced into sexual encounters under looming threats claiming engaging into such acts was “God’s will”.

Quiboloy is recognized for his close ties with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and boasts about possessing 4 million loyal followers in the Philippines, 2 million more overseas and a global presence through his TV station spanning 600 million viewers.

In a previous interview with ABC News in 2010, he mentioned that all members of his kingdom partook in his riches and were always welcome to stay at his mansion. His entitlement to wealth jumps back to a revelation from God he claims was received by him in 1983 where God tasked him with owning a jet and accepting whatever they receive from God even if it entailed evolved poverty.

Unfazed by public opinion, Quiboloy maintains, “It is not God’s will for me to have these things I have, you can take them away. It is God’s will that we follow…. (If) he wanted me to live like a rat or in prosperity or poverty, it doesn’t matter. I’ll be ecstatic as long as it aligns with God’s will.”

As this trust news story unfolds gaining pace around the world drawing attention due to its correlation to delicate issues including human trafficking and child abuse, adhering closely to Christian Worldview it becomes starkly imperative that justice prevails. Despite being an apparent pillar within religious circles utilizing real news sources remains crucial when examining such high-profile cases ensuring genuine victims aren’t silenced. As developing information emerges from trusted news outlets worldwide promising fair trial proceedings towards all parties involved including Quiboloy has become increasingly pertinent fostering faith in global judicial systems fighting against such atrocities.