DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, a figure who has drawn significant attention from both U.S. and Philippine authorities, is a controversial televangelist whose life and career have been marked by both prominence and legal troubles.
Here is an overview of his background, financial holdings, and legal issues:
Background and Founding
Born on April 20, 1950, in Barangay Dumanlas, Buhangin, Davao City, Apollo Quiboloy is the son of Maria Carreon and Jose Quiboloy.
He grew up in a family associated with the United Pentecostal Church. His father Jose served as pastor.
On September 1, 1985, Quiboloy founded the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), also known as “The Name Above Every Name,” starting with a prayer house on Villamor Street in Agdavao, Davao City. He has since risen to prominence as an international televangelist based in the Philippines.
Financial and Property Holdings
Recent reports estimate that Quiboloy’s properties in the United States are valued at PHP 262.52 million. In the Philippines, his assets are believed to be worth billions. Despite his considerable wealth, Quiboloy faces numerous legal challenges both domestically and internationally.
Timeline of Legal Issues
- Early 1990s: The Davao City government’s City Planning and Development office raised concerns about the development of Prayer Mountain, noting that Quiboloy failed to secure locational clearance for agricultural land.
- February 2018: Quiboloy and six associates were detained in Honolulu after U.S. customs agents discovered $350,000 and rifle parts in a private plane. Staff member Felina Salinas was arrested for attempted bulk cash smuggling.
- April 2018: The FBI began investigating complaints that KOJC members were flown to Hawaii to sell food as part of fundraising efforts.
- October 2018: A former KOJC member filed a lawsuit in Hawaii accusing Quiboloy of childhood sexual abuse.
- December 2019: Another former KOJC worker filed charges of rape, human trafficking, and child abuse against Quiboloy and others in Davao City.
- January 2020: KOJC administrators Guia Cabactulan, Marissa Duenas, and Amanda Estopare were reportedly arrested by the FBI for alleged human trafficking, accused of forcing church members to solicit money under false pretenses.
- February 2020: A California federal grand jury charged Cabactulan, Duenas, and Estopare with labor trafficking and immigration fraud.
- July 2020: Davao prosecutors dismissed rape and trafficking complaints against Quiboloy due to insufficient evidence.
- November 2021: U.S. prosecutors indicted Quiboloy and others for allegedly running a sex trafficking operation involving minors. An arrest warrant was issued, and the FBI sought extradition.
- February 2022: The FBI released wanted posters for Quiboloy and others involved in the alleged labor trafficking scheme.
- April 2022: A Los Angeles paralegal pleaded guilty to conspiracy related to fraudulent immigration documents for KOJC members.
- December 2022: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Quiboloy for serious human rights abuses, including systemic rape.
- December 2023: The Philippine Senate initiated an investigation through Resolution 884 into the cases against KOJC and potential gaps in human trafficking laws, child abuse, and exploitation.
- January 2024: Quiboloy skipped a Senate hearing.
- February 2024: The Senate issued an official subpoena for Quiboloy.
- March 2024: The Philippine Senate cited Quiboloy in contempt for ignoring subpoenas. A California judge ordered the unsealing of arrest warrants for sex trafficking and other charges, and a show cause order was issued to Quiboloy.
- April 2024: A Davao court issued an arrest warrant for Quiboloy and five others.
- May 2024: The Supreme Court allowed the transfer of Quiboloy’s cases from Davao to Quezon City.
- June 10, 2024: Authorities served arrest warrants at multiple KOJC properties but did not locate Quiboloy.
- July 2024: A PHP 10 million bounty was offered for information leading to Quiboloy’s arrest. Pauline Canada was arrested in Davao City on July 11.
- August 6, 2024: The Court of Appeals ordered the freezing of bank accounts and assets belonging to Quiboloy and his co-accused. The assets frozen include:
- At least 10 bank accounts belonging to Quiboloy.
- Seven real properties.
- Five motor vehicles.
- One aircraft.
- 27 bank accounts belonging to co-accused Pauline Canada.
- Bank accounts of other individuals including Maria Dandan, Helen Panilag, Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Cemañes, Jackielyn Roy, Alona Santander, and Marlon Acobo.
- 23 bank accounts of the Children’s Joy Foundation.
- 47 bank accounts of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
- 17 bank accounts of Swara Sug Media Corp.
