Philippine Pastor Apollo's Camp Of'son Of God' Quiboloy Admits Not Guilty Of Sex Trading Cases

Philippine celebrity priest Apollo Quiboloy (Youtube DW News screenshot)

JAKARTA - Philippine celebrity priest Apollo Quiboloy who proclaimed himself 'God's Son who was appointed' pleaded not guilty to allegations of sex trafficking. This was conveyed by the lawyer concerned, Israelito Torreon.

"He is innocent," Israelio lawyer Torreon told reporters after the indictment in Manila was reported by Channelnewsasia, Friday, September 13. The pre-trial hearing is scheduled to be held in October.

Quiboloy will also file his petition on Friday on charges of child abuse in another court.

"Our strong belief is that the truth about the alleged crime of Apollo C Quiboloy and his accused colleagues will eventually be revealed," Joahna Paula Domingo, an adviser with the victim allegedly in a statement previously released.

"It should be noted that these cases have been filed in 2019 and we have long sought justice for whistleblowers since then," he said.

Quiboloy and four other defendants arrived in a police minibus about 45 minutes before scheduled charges. Handcuffed and in an orange prison shirt, the knife was barely recognizable behind the helmet and costumed vest.

Quiboloy, who faces a series of charges in the Philippines and the United States including sex trafficking, money laundering, and child abuse, was arrested on Sunday after weeks of searches at his church complex covering an area of 30 hectares by more than 2,000 security guards.

When asked by a reporter when he arrived at court what was his message to his followers, he said "tag ang, tatag ang", the Philippine words to "stay strong, stay strong".

He is also on the list of the most wanted people in the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US, where he was charged with carrying out sex trafficking operations that threaten young victims with "eternal curses" and physical violence, among other crimes.

Quiboloy has for years developed an image as a charismatic spiritual leader with divine powers, giving him millions of followers, luxurious lifestyles, and powerful friends in the country's political elite.

He is an old friend of Rodrigo Duterte, who became president of the Philippines until two years ago and has appeared frequently on pastor television shows. Duterte has criticized police operations recently to arrest Quiboloy.