Celebrity pastor surrenders in Philippines after two-week hunt

A pastor wanted in the US on child trafficking charges has been arrested in the Philippines after a 16-day manhunt across a vast compound that includes a network of underground tunnels and dozens of buildings.

- Rebecca Ratcliffe

Apollo Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church, who claims to be the "appointed son of God" and was a spiritual adviser of the former president Rodrigo Duterte, is facing various charges, including in the US, where he is wanted over the alleged trafficking of women and girls as young as 12.

According to the FBI wanted list, victims were allegedly recruited to work as personal assistants, or "pastorals", and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what was called "night duty". Quiboloy, who is at least 74, has denied the allegations.

Last month, 2,000 police officers, who were later backed by 1,000 reinforcements, stormed the KOJC's 30-hectare (74-acre) compound in a search for the pastor, prompting his supporters to take to the streets.

The national police spokesperson, Jean Fajardo, said Quiboloy handed himself in after he was warned to surrender within 24 hours.