Apollo Carreon Quiboloy: The Appointed Son of God and Controversial Evangelist

The Appointed Son of God: Apollo Carreon Quiboloy

Known to his followers as the Appointed Son of God, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy has become a figure of both reverence and controversy. At 74 years old, this charismatic doomsday evangelist is often seen dressed in his signature satiny white suits, a choice of attire that symbolizes purity and authority. Surrounding him in various photographs are young women, frequently adorned in the same virginal hue, enhancing the almost ethereal image he projects.

Quiboloy is the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, which claims millions of adherents across approximately 200 countries. His sermons have captivated the faithful from diverse locales, including Ukraine, Hong Kong, Brazil, and New York City. Notably, he served as a spiritual adviser to Rodrigo Duterte, the influential former president of the Philippines.

However, the narrative surrounding Mr. Quiboloy has taken a dramatic turn. Recently, he was captured following a manhunt in the southern Philippines that mobilized thousands of security personnel. On a Sunday evening, the Philippines’ interior secretary, Benjamin Abalos Jr., announced that the fugitive preacher had been apprehended. According to his lawyer, Quiboloy surrendered voluntarily, while police reported that negotiations for his surrender took place from the pastor’s compound.

Quiboloy finds himself on the F.B.I.’s most-wanted list, facing serious allegations in the United States and his home country. He is accused of orchestrating a human trafficking and child sex abuse ring, with allegations of rape, including of minors. Through his legal representatives, Quiboloy has firmly denied all accusations leveled against him.

The extensive search for this fugitive pastor, aimed at serving him with a Philippine arrest warrant, shines a light on the operations of a megachurch that American and Philippine prosecutors claim relies heavily on labor exploitation and the manipulation of individuals who are often least equipped to bear the financial burden imposed upon them.

Moreover, Quiboloy’s predicament highlights a complex tapestry of societal rifts within the Philippines: the divide between a predominantly Roman Catholic majority and an increasingly influential evangelical population; the disparities between the affluent elite of the Philippine capital and the power brokers rooted in the country’s periphery; and the tensions that exist between the president of the Philippines and his vice president.