Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that Apollo Quiboloy, the fugitive preacher wanted for sexual abuse and human trafficking in both the Philippines and the United States, will not receive any special treatment.
Quiboloy, the 74-year-old founder of the Kingdom of Jesus mega-church, surrendered to police on Sunday along with four other suspects at his church’s compound in the southern Philippines, ending a months-long manhunt.
After warrants were issued for his arrest in April for child abuse and sexual abuse, Quiboloy went into hiding. The Senate also issued an arrest order against him for failing to attend hearings regarding abuse allegations within his church.
Despite being presented to reporters with his face covered, Marcos assured the public that Quiboloy would not be treated differently, as criminals typically have their faces exposed during such situations. This assurance came after public outrage over the handling of another fugitive, Alice Guo, who was photographed with officials before being extradited to the Philippines for her alleged crimes.
Guo’s treatment as a celebrity rather than a criminal sparked criticism of the justice system, with Senator Risa Hontiveros demanding answers. This incident also led to embarrassment for the Marcos administration, as Guo had managed to flee the country while under investigation.
Marcos emphasized that Quiboloy’s wealth and public profile would not result in preferential treatment. He stated that the judicial system in the Philippines is active and will handle the cases filed against Quiboloy within the country before considering extradition to the U.S., where he faces similar charges.
In November 2021, U.S. federal prosecutors charged Quiboloy with various offenses related to sex trafficking and exploitation. Quiboloy denies all charges, attributing them to former members seeking to discredit him. His lawyer expressed confidence in proving his innocence in court.