Philippines 'Son of God' priest pleads not guilty

13/9/2024 19:09

        Philippine celebrity pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who calls himself the "Appointed Son of God", pleaded not guilty on Friday to several criminal charges including sexually abusing a child during arraignments in two separate courts, his lawyer said.
        
        Quiboloy, leader of the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church which says it has six million followers worldwide, arrived at the heavily guarded Pasig court in a bulletproof helmet and vest.
        
        He told his followers to "stay strong" before police took him into the courtroom.
        
        "He is innocent," his lawyer, Israelito Torreon, told reporters after his client's first arraignment. Quiboloy also pleaded not guilty to the sexual abuse charges at a Quezon city court via teleconferencing.
        
        Quiboloy, a longtime friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is on a U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's "most wanted" list after he was indicted for sexual abuse, human trafficking and other crimes.
        
        He will remain in detention at a police headquarters for now, the police said.