Apollo Quiboloy
Apollo Carreon Quiboloy (locally [kɪboˈlɔɪ]; born April 25, 1950)[a] is a Filipino pastor and church leader of the Philippines-based Restorationist church called the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC).[3][4] Previously a member of the United Pentecostal Church, he founded the KJC in 1985, and has made claims that he is "the Appointed Son of God" as well as being "the Owner of the Universe".[5][6]
Apollo Quiboloy | |
|---|---|
Quiboloy's picture on the FBI wanted notice | |
| Title | Executive Pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ |
| Personal | |
| Born | April 25, 1950 Dumanlas, Buhangin, Davao City, Philippines |
| Religion | Protestant |
| Denomination | Restorationist |
| Church | Kingdom of Jesus Christ |
| Senior posting | |
| Based in | Buhangin, Pan-Philippine Highway, Davao City, Philippines |
| Period in office | 1985–present |
| Predecessor | Position established |
| Website | www |
In November 2021, prosecutors in California announced sex trafficking charges against Quiboloy, alleging that he and several others had sexually abused female church members aged 12 to 25 in exchange for privileges as well as avoiding "eternal damnation".[7][8] Many of Quiboloy's assets have been described as ill-gotten.[9] On December 10, 2022, the US Department of Treasury and Department of State imposed sanctions on Quiboloy alongside several other individuals in connection with corruption and gross human rights abuses.[10]
Early life
Quiboloy was born on April 25, 1950, in Buhangin, Davao City, specifically in the area of Dumanlas, and is the youngest of nine children of Pampangans José Quiboloy y Turla and María Carreón y Quinto (born December 28, 1913).[11][12][13] Both his parents were natives of Lubao, Pampanga, and had migrated to Davao City following the end of the Second World War to find better opportunities.[14] Quiboloy spent his formative years in Pampanga before moving back to Davao.[14]
Quiboloy was a member of the United Pentecostal Church, a Oneness Pentecostal denomination, until he established the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church.[15] Quiboloy's father, José, was already a Protestant (a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance) but converted to Oneness Pentecostalism with his four sons. They all became preachers and leaders in the United Pentecostal Church of the Philippines (UPCP), the largest Filipino Oneness Pentecostal Church, which is affiliated to the US-based United Pentecostal Church International. Apollo became president of the powerful UPCP youth organization in 1974, but was expelled from UPCP in 1979 for unorthodox teachings. He came back and was accepted back into the fold in 1980 as pastor of the Agdao Church in Davao City, one of the historical UPCP churches. In 1985, Apollo was put again under investigation by UPCP for his arrogant attitude towards other pastors. Rather than submitting to trial, he left UPCP with some 15 followers on September 1, 1985, and started his own denomination, later known as the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.[16]
Quiboloy studied in a Bible college in Manila where he graduated from in 1972. He also attended a conference in South Korea mostly attended by American and Canadian evangelists the following year.[17]
Church
Kingdom of Jesus Christ
Quiboloy is the founding leader and Executive Pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name founded on September 1, 1985.[18] He began preaching in the slums of Villamor, Agdao, Davao City with only 15 members.[citation needed] He has received critical responses to his claims of being the "Appointed Son of God".[19][20][21]
The sect's main cathedral is located along Buhangin National Highway in Davao City.
His followers refer to their community as a "Kingdom Nation." They claim about 2 million "Kingdom citizens" abroad and 4 million in the Philippines.[13] On weekdays, members hold bible sessions and prayer services. On Sundays, a "Global Worship" is held at the Cathedral in Buhangin District. In 2000, Quiboloy founded José María College, named after his parents.[13][22]
The church under Quiboloy's leadership would establish the Sonshine Media Network International (President and CEO), and 17 radio stations in the Philippines. It also has two newspapers, Pinas and Sikat.[13] The church also has Sonshine Sports Management, a sports management group established in 2014.[23]
Divinity claims
Quiboloy has claimed possession of divine powers, including stopping the 2019 Cotabato earthquakes at his command, and has said that the public should thank him for the act.[24] He has publicly said that he did not do the same to stop the onslaught of Typhoon Kammuri (Tisoy) in response to those critical of his earlier claim in stopping the Cotabato earthquakes.[25]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, following his indictment by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation in November 2021, Quibolloy said that the emergence of the Omicron covid-19 variant is due to the "persecuting, prosecuting and maligning" he received from the public.[26]
Political involvement
Quiboloy anointed Gilbert Teodoro as the next president in the 2010 Philippine presidential election.[27] Teodoro finished fourth in the election with 4,095,839 votes (or 11.33%).[28] He remarked that he was disturbed by reports of fraud and cheating and wondered to whom did votes from his church go.[29]
In the 2016 national elections, Quiboloy and the members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ endorsed the presidential candidacy of the pastor's close friend, Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.[30][31] Quiboloy also lent his private jet and helicopter to be used in Duterte's presidential campaign.[32] Quiboloy also served as Duterte's spiritual adviser during his presidency.[33][34]
In the 2022 national elections, Quiboloy endorsed the candidacy of Bongbong Marcos who was running for president. He supported his vice presidential candidate, Sara Duterte as well.[35] Quiboloy's parents' loyal support for former President Ferdinand Marcos was a factor for the endorsement. Quiboloy is also good friends with the Marcos family in general.[36]
Controversies
Allegations of brainwashing by a former church member
Quiboloy and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ have been sued by a woman for allegedly brainwashing and holding her 19-year-old daughter, who joined the church in 2004, against her will.[37][38]
Dispute with the New People's Army
The New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has accused Quiboloy of being behind the massacre of K'lata-Bagobo leader Datu Domingo Diarog and his family on April 29, 2008, for allegedly refusing to sell 2 hectares (20,000 m2) of their property for ₱50,000 to Quiboloy and his sect.
The property is within the 700 hectares (7.0 km2) ancestral domain claimed by the Bagobo people in Tugbok and is adjacent to Quiboloy's walled "prayer mountain" in Tamayong.
Diarog's widow said followers of Quiboloy had threatened to evict them from the land and her relatives were even offered a ₱20,000 bounty for Diarog's head.[39]
Quiboloy, however, said the charges were "totally false and baseless, if not ridiculous."[40]
While Quiboloy has branded the rebels "mga anak ni Satanas" ("Satan's offspring"), the NPA has declared him a "warlord in the service of the Arroyo administration's policies against the peasants and indigenous peoples."[41][42]
Police investigator Ireneo Dalogdog, head of the Tugbok police office, said he had been receiving reports that Diarog was being harassed by armed men associated with Quiboloy, and that Diarog's farmhouse had earlier been razed three times.[39]
2020 ABS-CBN shutdown
In November 2019, Vice Ganda on It's Showtime! satirized Quiboloy's claims of stopping the series of earthquakes in Mindanao by exclaiming, "Stop!". Ganda jokingly challenged Quiboloy to also stop the country's longest running television series Ang Probinsyano, which had been airing on ABS-CBN for at least five years at that point.[43][44] Quiboloy accepted the challenge and declared that in four months, the whole network's operations would shut down as well.[45][46][47] On May 5, 2020, the National Telecommunications Commission ordered ABS-CBN to cease its television and radio broadcasting operations after their 25-year broadcast franchise expired the previous day. The station then officially signed off at 7:52 pm local time the same day.[48] More than two months later, on July 10, 2020, the House of Representatives of the Philippines rejected the new ABS-CBN franchise bid after a 70–11 vote against it.[49][44][50] Following this, ABS-CBN shifted its news, radio, and entertainment operations into online platforms and other television networks. Ang Probinsyano released its series finale on August 12, 2022.[51]
Rape and sex trafficking accusations, indictments, sanctions
Prosecutors on behalf of the United States Department of Justice indicted Quiboloy and other church members on charges of sex trafficking on November 11, 2021. The indictment charged him with allegedly coercing girls and young women to have sex with him, as well as running a sex trafficking operation that threatened victims. Among the claimed victims are children as young as twelve. According to the indictment, Quiboloy allegedly threatened them with "eternal damnation" and physical abuse, through the fraudulent California charity "Children's Joy". According to the US Department of Justice's allegations, underage girls were forced into so-called "night duties", where they were sexually abused by the pastor.[8] Prosecutors have stated that they will also retrieve Quiboloy's US assets originating from ill-gotten wealth, alleging that he used church donations to pay for his lavish lifestyle.[9][52][53] On February 5, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released a wanted poster for Quiboloy.[54][55]
As of August 2022,[56] the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs is still yet to receive an extradition request from the US Department of Justice. Once found to be sufficient, the request can then be endorsed to the Philippine Department of Justice.[57]
On December 10, 2022, the US Department of Treasury and Department of State imposed sanctions on Quiboloy for gross human rights abuses and corruption. These sanctions come on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day and on the eve of International Human Rights Day, wherein the United States sanctioned up to forty individuals and entities from nine different countries for corruption and human rights violations. [58][10] The sanctions were imposed based by Executive Order 13818 pursuant to the US Global Magnitsky Act. Quiboloy is accused of being involved in the sexual abuse and human trafficking of young girls within his religious group. [59]
The US imposed the following sanctions on Quiboloy. [10][58]
- All properties and interests that are in the US or in possession of US persons are blocked and must be referred to the US’ treasury department.
- Any entities directly or indirectly owned, 50% or more are blocked.
- All transactions of US persons or within/transiting in the US that involve any of Quiboloy’s property or interests in property are prohibited, unless authorized.
- Making or receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for Quiboloy’s benefit are also prohibited.
Complaints filed by Quiboloy and KJC members
Reports on Quiboloy and complaints against Rappler, et al
In December 2021, Rappler published series of articles detailing accusations against Quiboloy including sexual abuse, trafficking and fraud.[60] In connection with these, since January 2022, Kingdom of Jesus Christ officials filed a total of 53 counts of cyber libel against Rappler and its four journalists, and four resource persons including an Ateneo de Manila University professor and three former KJC members who turned as whistleblowers, before the City Prosecutor's offices in various cities in Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro (7 counts), Davao City (28), General Santos (7), Ozamiz (7) and Panabo (4); all were dismissed for lack of probable cause with those filed in Davao City the last to be dismissed in May.[61][62][63]
Complaint against Manny Pacquiao
Then senator and presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao cited charges of sexual abuse against Quiboloy as his reason for turning down an invitation for a presidential debate that was organized by the latter in February 2022. This was the subject of a cyber libel complaint filed by Quiboloy against Pacquiao, which was dismissed by Davao City prosecutors in September, stating the complainant's failure to present supporting evidence.[64]
Notes
- ^ The Federal Bureau of Investigation listed 1947 or 1950 as his birth year.[1] An SMNI News Channel posted Quiboloy's 71st birthday wish on April 27, 2021 on Facebook, thus Quiboloy was born in 1950.[2]
References
- ^ . Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ "Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy thanks well-wishers on his 71st birthday". SMNI News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Dacanay, Barbara Mae (May 4, 2010). "Arroyo welcomes church leader's poll support". gulfnews.com. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ Padillo, Maya M (March 20, 2010). "Villar is my mother's choice, says Quiboloy". The Mindanao Daily Mirror. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ . Archived from the original on February 24, 2011.
- ^ "FAST FACTS: Who is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the 'Appointed Son of God'?". Rappler. February 15, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ Andrew Kelly (November 19, 2021). "U.S. announces sex-trafficking charges against Duterte's spiritual adviser". Reuters. from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ a b "Apollo Quiboloy, founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, indicted for sex trafficking". ABS-CBNnews.com. November 19, 2021. from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ a b "US Authorities Eye Seizure of Pastor Quiboloy's Assets". Inquirer. November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ a b c "US imposes sanctions on Quiboloy for 'serious human rights abuse'". RAPPLER. December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ Official Website. . Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Todd Cabrera Lucero. "The Pastor and the President". Retrieved May 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "INQUIRER.net". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
- ^ a b Gavilán, Jodesz (February 15, 2018). "Who Is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the "Appointed Son of God"?". Rappler.
- ^ Hodgart, Kenny (October 7, 2016). "The Messiah friend of President Duterte". Asia Times. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ King, Johnny Loye (2016). Spirit and Schism: A History of Oneness Pentecostalism in the Philippines (PhD thesis). University of Birmingham. pp. 192–194.
- ^ "Eternally damned by Quiboloy". VERA Files. December 2, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ . Official Website. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ^ Estremera, Stella A (January 30, 2005). "Of appointed sons and the second coming". Cebu Sun Star. Philippines.
- ^ Bagnol, Raquel C (July 23, 2005). "Couple charged with libel for branding Quiboloy's sect a 'cult'". Cebu Sun Star. Philippines.
- ^ "Who is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy". Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. February 2, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- ^ "Who is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy - An Advocacy for Children". Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. February 2, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- ^ . Davao Breaking News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ Galvez, Daphne (November 1, 2019). "Quiboloy: 'I yelled at the Mindanao quake to stop, it stopped'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "Pastor Quiboloy says he did not 'stop' Tisoy because of bashers". MSN. GMA News. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ Garcia, Maria Angelica (November 29, 2021). "Apollo Quiboloy says Omicron variant due to allegations against him". GMA News. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ Tupas, Jeffrey (May 3, 2010). . Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 6, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ "List of Candidates for President and Vice-President with Votes Obtained: May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. September 29, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ "Quiboloy: Where did our votes for Gibo go?". The Philippine Star. May 22, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ Regalado, Edith (February 8, 2016). "Evangelist Quiboloy backs Duterte". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ . ABS-CBN News. March 28, 2016. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ^ "Duterte using Quiboloy private jet; Davao bizmen funding rallies". ABS-CBN News. April 28, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ "Palace: Duterte's spiritual adviser can defend himself". BusinessWorld. April 4, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ Mercado, Neil Arwin (November 19, 2021). "Duterte to say if Quiboloy will remain as spiritual adviser — Palace". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ Mercado, Neil Arwin (February 1, 2022). "Quiboloy endorses Bongbong Marcos – Sara Duterte tandem". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ Baroña, Franco Jose (May 29, 2022). "'No favors from Marcos despite support'". The Manila Times. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ Cabreza, Vincent; Demetillo, Donna (May 7, 2005). "Lawyers sue cult to get custody of Baguio Girl". Philippine Daily Inquirer. PDI Northern Luzon Bureau. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ Cabreza, Vincent; Demetillo, Donna (January 20, 2005). "Cult probed for disappearance of teeners". Philippine Daily Inquirer. PDI Northern Luzon Bureau. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
- ^ a b Why did they kill the Bagobo datu?, Philippine Daily Inquirer October 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Killings, land dispute turn tribal village into virtual ghost town". GMA News Online.
- ^ Slay of tribal leader stirs Pastor Quiboloy-NPA word war, Philippine Daily Inquirer October 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Preacher, rebels exchange harsh words over killing Philippine Daily Inquirer October 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Severo, Jan Milo (November 5, 2019). "Vice Ganda challenges Quiboloy to stop 'Ang Probinsyano,' EDSA traffic". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ a b "Quiboloy says Vice Ganda prophesied ABS-CBN, 'Ang Probinsyano' to stop". www.philstar.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ Severo, Jan Milo (November 11, 2019). "Quiboloy accepts Vice Ganda's challenge, praises 'Eat Bulaga'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ Vice Ganda challenges Quiboloy to stop 'Ang Probinsyano', retrieved May 6, 2021
- ^ Nicart, Lyka (July 11, 2020). "Pastor Quiboloy recalls Vice Ganda's 'stop' joke amid ABS-CBN franchise denial". Latest Chika. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ "'Premonition' of Pastor Quiboloy about ABS-CBN closure resurfaced online". www.msn.com. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ "ABS-CBN franchise bid junked". Manila Bulletin. July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ "Duterte says ABS-CBN franchise renewal bid 'piece of garbage'". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ Dumaual, Miguel (August 13, 2022). "'Ang Probinsyano' ending: Here's who lived, died in finale". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ Cohen, Rebecca. "A megachurch leader who calls himself 'The Appointed Son of God' threatened young girls with physical abuse and eternal damnation if they didn't have sex with him, prosecutors say". Insider.
- ^ "Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, megachurch founder, charged with forcing women and girls into sex - The Washington Post". The Washington Post.
- ^ "APOLLO CARREON QUIBOLOY - FBI". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ "Quiboloy, 'top most wanted' na ng FBI" (in Tagalog). Philippine Star. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ Quismorio, Ellson (August 31, 2022). "DFA not afraid of Quiboloy's 'threats'; explains how extradition works". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ "Extradition proceedings vs Quiboloy yet to begin". Rappler. March 27, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ a b "US Treasury sanctions Quiboloy over human rights abuse". CNN Philippines. December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ Rocamora, Joyce Ann (December 10, 2022). "US sanctions Quiboloy for 'serious human rights violations'". Philippine News Agency.
- ^ "CDO prosecutors junk Quiboloy follower cyber libel raps vs Rappler, et al". ABS-CBN News. April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- ^ "53 counts of libel vs Rappler in 5 Mindanao cities all dismissed for "lack of probable cause"". MindaNews. June 26, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ "Quiboloy workers file a dozen cyber libel complaints vs Rappler". Rappler. March 4, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ "Davao prosecutors trash Quiboloy-related cyber libel complaints vs Rappler". Rappler. June 23, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ "Davao prosecutors trash Quiboloy cyber libel complaint vs Pacquiao". Rappler. October 16, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
External links
- Official website