MANILA, Sept 13 (Askume) – Prominent Filipino pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who calls himself the “appointed son of God”, pleaded not guilty on Friday in two separate courts to multiple criminal charges including child sexual abuse, his lawyer said .
Quiboloy, leader of the Philippines-based Church of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), arrived at the heavily guarded Pasig courthouse wearing a bulletproof helmet and vest.
He asked his followers to “stay strong” before police took him to court.
His lawyer, Israelto Torreon, told reporters after his client’s first hearing that “he is innocent.” Cuboloy also admitted to the sexual assault charge via teleconference at the Quezon City court.
Kiboloy, a longtime friend of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was placed on the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list after his conviction for sexual abuse, human trafficking and other crimes.
He remains in custody at police headquarters, police said.
The 74-year-old pastor was arrested on Sunday at KOGC’s 30-hectare compound in southern Davao city following a week-long police manhunt .
Police said that since his arrest, more and more people have come forward to allege that they were sexually abused by him.
“We firmly believe that the truth of the crimes alleged to have been committed by Apollo C. Quiboloy and his co-defendants will eventually come to light,” Joana Paula Domingo, co-counsel for one of the victims, said in a statement.
“The cases were filed in 2019 and since then we have been demanding justice for the complainants,” he said.
In a statement released by the KOJC ahead of the Quiboloy hearing, the church said its “fundamental rule” is that members “cannot be forced to do anything against their will.”
