By Anne Caileen Usero

PHOTO: ONE News

Apollo Quiboloy, founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), along with two other church members, were officially declared “wanted” by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under sex trafficking allegations and a string of other criminal accusations.

 On February 5, 2022, the FBI released wanted posters bearing the names of; Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, Teresita Tolibas Dandan, and Helen Panilag, seeking cooperation regarding their arrest.

The poster puts Quiboloy under alleged charges of “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy, bulk cash smuggling.”

The FBI added that Quiboloy allegedly participated in a labor-trafficking scheme, illegally immigrating several church members to the United States via fraudulently obtained visas, and setting up a bogus charity on which donations were used to financially support church operations and the lavish lifestyle of its leaders.

Quiboloy faces allegations for running a child sex-trafficking operation in a US-based church administration, gathering 12 year-olds to perform “eternal damnation.” It is also alleged that his personal assistants consist of women who were required to have sex with him, which what they call “night duty.”

However, two others were also listed as wanted by the FBI, namely; Teresita Dandan, and Helen Panilag.

Dandan is wanted for alleged “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy; and promotional money laundering."

While, “Panilag is the alleged one-time top church administrator in the United States who oversaw the collection of financial data from church operations around the globe,” as written on her poster.

Both were suspected to have played major roles in the execution of crimes, such as; Dandan being the primary recruiter of the women and minor victims, and Panilag being a huge contributor in the labor trafficking scheme, and allegedly serving as the global church funds handler.


‘Modern-day Joseph'

Quiboloy released a statement following the controversial FBI wanted posters, alluding himself to the  biblical character “Joseph,” saying that like Joseph, he also has to go through tribulations.

“Tignan niyo ang dinaanan niyang tribulations. Iyan si Joseph. Ay mayroong modern Joseph ngayon. Bago matupad ang ipinangako ng ama sa akin, ang lahat ng ito ay dadaanan ng anak,” he quoted. 

He also mentioned Moses, “Anong pinagdaanan ni Moses? Hinabol siya ng taga Ehipto, pati army hinabol siya. Hindi niya alam ang gagawin. Pero pag nasa kamay ng Diyos ang isang tao. Do not underestimate, because miracles and miracles will take place,” Quiboloy added. 

“Makikilala ba si PACQ (Pastor Quiboloy) kung walang tribulations?” He reasoned. 

Upon these remarks, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas called out the Philippines' Department of Justice to issue an HDO (hold departure order) against Quiboloy. 

She voiced her disagreement towards Quiboloy’s earlier statement quoting, “Quiboloy must really be thick-faced to liken himself to Biblical figures. Sumuko na lang dapat siya. Si Joseph, inapi kahit walang kasalanan. Si Pastor Quiboloy, nang-api at nang-abuso, wanted sex trafficker at sangkot sa napakaraming land-grabbing cases sa Mindanao. Napakalaki ng pagkakaiba.”


Timing of FBI’s wanted posters release, ‘suspicious’

Quiboloy’s legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio suspects the FBI’s wanted posters timing of release. “The federal jury indictment was made on November 10, 2021... There was also a warrant issued on that day. Immediately, if you have a warrant, you put up a wanted poster. Bakit hinintay ngayon kung kailangan mag-uumpisa ang kampanyahan?” he said. 

Quiboloy stands as President Rodrigo Duterte’s spiritual adviser, he is also known to actively support former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. And Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio candidacy for presidential and vice presidential seats. 

“Indirectly, it is undermining the candidacy of Sara Duterte. Indirectly, it may be undermining the candidacy of Bongbong Marcos, or whichever candidate the United States does not want to win in this country,” he stated. 

Topacio added that the release of wanted posters is unnecessary, and is only an instrument for humiliation to the Pastor and the members of the Kingdom.

“There is no need to ask the public for information regarding the whereabouts of Pastor Quiboloy. That is only done when a person is actively a fugitive from justice, in hiding. He (Quiboloy) does not deserve this treatment,” he said. 

Topacio said that they will be following what the law says, and will continue through the process of extradition. 

The extradition request from the US Government is still yet to be received by the Philippines’ Department of Justice (DOJ).