74-year-old leader of the “Son of God” cult denies allegations of sex trafficking after his arrest in a building complex where he “kept women as sex slaves” and “abused children.”

A prominent pastor who calls himself a “proclaimed son of God” has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including child sexual abuse and sex trafficking.

Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Philippines-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) with six million followers, was arrested on Sunday after a police operation lasting several weeks at the KOJC's 30-hectare compound in the south of Davao city.

The 74-year-old was led into the heavily guarded Pasig courthouse this morning in handcuffs, wearing a bulletproof helmet and a splinter-proof vest, while Philippine police feared a possible attempt on his life.

He urged his supporters to “stay strong” before police led him into the courtroom along with several of his alleged accomplices.

Thanks to a tip from a whistleblower, the police were able to arrest the preacher at his property, where he allegedly held women and children captive as sex slaves.

He is charged with serious crimes. In the United States, he is charged with conspiracy to commit forcible sex trafficking, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children, among a number of other alleged offenses.

Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy (center) arrives for his scheduled arraignment at a courthouse in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

The 74-year-old was led into the heavily guarded Pasig courthouse this morning in handcuffs, wearing a bulletproof helmet and a flak jacket.

Some of Quiboloy's followers are led with him into the courtroom

Quiboloy surrendered on Sunday at his huge religious complex in the south of the country in an operation involving more than 2,000 police officers.

The self-proclaimed “Son of God” is Police said he was currently being held in custody at a police headquarters along with several of his followers.

“He is innocent,” his lawyer Israelito Torreon told reporters after his client's initial arraignment today.

Quiboloy also pleaded not guilty to the sexual abuse charge via teleconference before a Quezon City court.

But police said that almost immediately after his arrest, other people came forward claiming to have been sexually abused by him.

“We firmly believe that the truth about the alleged crimes of Apollo C. Quiboloy and his co-defendants will eventually come to light,” Joahna Paula Domingo, a co-counsel for one of the alleged victims, said in a statement.

“These cases were filed in 2019 and since then we have long sought justice for the plaintiff,” she said.

In a statement issued by the KOJC before Quiboloy's indictment, the church's statement said its “cardinal rule” is that its members “will not be forced to do anything against their will.”

Quibolo faces similar allegations in the United States, where he is on the FBI's most wanted list.

The United States was expected to eventually seek the extradition of Quiboloy and his co-defendants, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said they must first face justice in the Philippines.

Quiboloy, who calls himself the “proclaimed son of God,” is on the FBI’s most wanted list

From above: the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Complex in Davao City, Philippines

Quiboloy founded the KOJC after his return from “exile in Tamayong,” explaining that he was led by God through dreams in the foothills of Mount Matutum to establish his church in the late 1990s.

Since then, he has amassed a huge following of ardent supporters across the country and earned the loyalty of numerous politicians and civil servants.

Rodrigo Duterte, the populist former president, recognized the value of Quiboloy's support when he ran for mayor in 1988 and courted his attention.

For decades until 2021, Quiboloy maintained a polished public presence, giving interviews to the national press and greeting his supporters on the streets of Davao.

But American interest in Quiboloy's alleged fraudulent dealings in the United States drew international attention to the preacher.

A federal grand jury indicted him on charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, conspiracy and cash smuggling.

In November 2021, a federal arrest warrant was issued for him.

The FBI has listed Quiboloy as one of its most wanted persons for his alleged involvement in a human trafficking scheme in which “Church members came to the United States on fraudulently obtained visas and the members were forced to raise funds for a bogus charity that financed the operations of the Church and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”

Those who succeeded in soliciting such “fake donations” were allegedly “forced to enter into a sham marriage” or apply for fake visas in order to continue working in the United States year-round.

The FBI also alleges that women were recruited as personal assistants or “chaplains.” They would prepare meals for Quiboloy, clean his houses, give him massages and have sex with him during their so-called “night shift.”

The victims were also allegedly threatened with abuse and “eternal damnation” if they did not give in to the self-proclaimed “Son of God.”

The church claims that the priest (centre) is being persecuted because “the devil … will try at all costs to eliminate a good man … who gives his life for his fellow men who are oppressed by evil.”

Haunting footage shows a room in the underground bunker that is still full of personal belongings

Some rooms have bunk beds, while others are designated as single rooms.

Supporters of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy hold a protest rally in front of the site

Police in the Philippines received additional help from a woman named “Amanda,” a whistleblower and former KOJC “full-time miracle worker,” who said she was one of many women detained after being forced into a sexual relationship with Quiboloy “at a young age.”

The Daily Tribune, a local media outlet that is closely following the case, reported that this was offered to the victims as a “special privilege” for a select few.

On August 24, the Philippine National Police (PNP) raided a 75-acre compound in Davao City linked to the KOJC in search of Quiboloy.

The complex reportedly spans three levels, two of which are reserved for the “most attractive” women, whom Quiboloy keeps as “sacrifices,” and a third is allegedly used to imprison other women, the Tribune reported.

A haunting video shows police sweeping dingy, unlit lower floors. These had been cleared, but signs of life were still visible: laundry was strewn about in large, open rooms that appeared to contain rows of low wooden beds.

Other floors were more like hotel hallways. Some had single rooms with neatly made single beds, potted plants and posters as decoration, others were more sparsely decorated and had several bunk beds or double beds and sofas.