Philippine church leader charged with sex trafficking in US, accused of exploiting young women

Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, the 71-year-old founder of a controversial Philippine church, has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on charges of sex trafficking young women, some as young as 12, under the threat of eternal damnation.

The church, known as the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC), allegedly used funds raised by a fraudulent California-based charity to lure victims from the Philippines to the U.S.

Quiboloy, who is a close ally of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, is accused of coercing young girls and women to perform sexual acts, referred to by his church as “night duty.” According to the indictment, victims were forced to comply under threats of physical and verbal abuse or the promise of hell. “Defendant Quiboloy and other KOJC administrators coerced pastorals into performing ‘night duty’ – that is, sex – with defendant Quiboloy under the threat of physical and verbal abuse and eternal damnation,” the Justice Department said in a press release.

The indictment, which adds to previous charges, reveals that this sex-trafficking operation allegedly ran for 16 years, ending in 2018. Quiboloy and two co-defendants are accused of running the scheme under the guise of church service, using victims to fundraise for KOJC and reward those who complied with luxurious trips and cash.

The Justice Department further alleges that Quiboloy maintained lavish residences in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, with funds solicited from KOJC workers in the U.S. The church claims to have six million members across 200 countries since its founding by Quiboloy in 1985.

Quiboloy’s close relationship with Duterte has raised questions, particularly after photos surfaced of the two at a private dinner in October. Presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles refused to comment on the nature of their friendship, stating, “I am not aware if the United States has filed an extradition request for Quiboloy, but the Philippines would cooperate if there is one against whoever.”

While three of Quiboloy’s co-defendants were arrested in the U.S., Quiboloy remains in Davao City, Philippines, where he is reportedly awaiting the outcome of these charges. His legal team has yet to issue a formal statement, as his attorney’s office held an emergency meeting following the indictment.

As the case unfolds, it shines a harsh light on the abuse of religious authority and the international effort to combat human trafficking within faith organizations.