A detained Philippine pastor who is also wanted in the United States for sex trafficking children has registered to run in the country’s senate elections next year.
Apollo Quiboloy, an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is a self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” whose sect claims millions of followers.
The 74-year-old was arrested last month and is currently detained in Manila and facing charges of child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking. One of his lawyers filed his candidacy paperwork.
“He wants to be a part of the solution to the problems of our country. He is running because of God and our beloved Philippines,” lawyer Mark Christopher Tolentino said.
The preacher pledges to promote laws that are “God-centred, Philippine-centred and Filipino-centred”, Mr Tolentino told journalists after submitting the candidacy papers to election officials.
Quiboloy was charged by the United States in 2021 with sex trafficking of girls and women to work as personal assistants, who were allegedly required to have sex with him during what they said was their “night duty”.
He is also sought by US authorities for bulk cash smuggling and a scheme that brought church members to the US through fraudulently obtained visas.
They were then forced to solicit donations for a bogus charity, raising funds that were instead used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders, according to the FBI.
Continue reading at