Philippine Church Leader Charged with Child Sex Trafficking and Related Offenses

In a significant development, federal prosecutors have charged the leader of a Philippines-based church, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, along with two of his top administrators, with serious offenses including sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and visa fraud. This announcement follows a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury, which also implicates three Los Angeles-based administrators and a church administrator in Hawaii.

Quiboloy, 71, is the head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, an organization claiming a global membership of 6 million across approximately 200 countries. The church’s U.S. headquarters is located in the Van Nuys area of Los Angeles. Quiboloy, who has declared himself the “appointed son of God,” previously claimed to have averted a major earthquake in the southern Philippines in 2019.

The indictment outlines a series of charges against Quiboloy and his associates, including sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, marriage fraud, money laundering, and visa fraud. Quiboloy, believed to be in the Philippines, has not responded to requests for comment from his attorney, Israelito Torreon.

According to the indictment, Quiboloy and his associates recruited women and girls, typically aged 12 to 25, to serve as “pastorals.” These individuals were tasked with cooking, cleaning, and traveling with Quiboloy. Some were coerced into participating in “night duty,” which included sexual activities with Quiboloy, under threats of physical and verbal abuse and “eternal damnation.” The indictment also accuses them of bringing church members to the U.S. using fraudulently obtained student visas or sham marriages to solicit donations for the church’s charity, the Children’s Joy Foundation USA, based in Glendale, California.

Former church members who escaped reported to the FBI that they were subjected to year-round work, beatings, and psychological abuse if they failed to meet daily quotas. Some described living in cars at truck stops during their tenure. The funds raised by the nonprofit were intended to benefit impoverished children in the Philippines.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of the biblical call for justice and accountability, echoing Micah 6:8, which emphasizes acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. The pursuit of truth and justice for the victims remains paramount, underscoring the importance of mercy and care for those harmed, as well as the broader responsibility of communities to uphold justice and peace.

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