FBI Wanted: Apollo Quiboloy, Teresita Dandan, Helen Panilag

The FBI is investigating individuals associated with a church called the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and a related charitable organization known as the Children’s Joy Foundation.

The agency has issued a warrant poster for KOJC founder Apollo Quiboloy, and two of his trusted officers, Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag.

In its website, the FBI laid out the alleged criminal violations against the three:

Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, the founder of a Philippines-based church, is wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round. 

Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called “night duty.” 

Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling, and on November 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest.

Teresita Tolibas Dandan is wanted for her alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought members of a Philippines-based church to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round. Dandan allegedly played a central role in recruiting female victims, including minor victims, to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals” for church founder Apollo Carreon Quiboloy. The victims allegedly were required to prepare his meals, clean his residences, give him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy on a schedule determined by Dandan, Quiboloy, and others in what was referred to as “night duty.”

Dandan is the alleged “international administrator” who was one of the top overseers of the church and the bogus charity operations in the United States. Dandan was indicted in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and promotional money laundering, and on November 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for her arrest.  

Helen Panilag is wanted for her alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members of a Philippines-based church to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round. 

Panilag is the alleged one-time top church administrator in the United States who oversaw the collection of financial data from church operations around the globe. Panilag was indicted for conspiracy by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, and on November 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for her arrest. 

The FBI said it is speaking to current and former members of the KOJC and members of (the) community who are providing information concerning potential criminal activities of this group. “Information developed during this ongoing investigation indicates that there may be victims of labor trafficking in the United States, the Philippines, or elsewhere. We are actively investigating these allegations and will hold accountable anyone victimizing our community members.”  

The FBI is urging people with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. That number is 1-800-225-5324. When prompted, choose option 4, and then option 3. If you prefer to contact the FBI online, please visit tips.fbi.gov. Tagalog speakers are available.

Says the FBI: “We want to help victims. We understand that you may fear retaliation if you speak with law enforcement. We know victims may be afraid, and we understand these fears. But there is hope. We will do everything in our power to protect you. If you remain concerned, you may provide information anonymously.”

Meantime, on Facebook, Quiboloy continues to engage with followers who have remained steadfastly supportive.

“The person who goes with me becomes better. Evil is gone from him and he fulfills the Will of the Great Father,” he writes on the KOJC Facebook page.

A non-fan writes back:  “Kung wala kang takot pumunta ka ng U.S.”

VP LENI ROBREDO interview with Boy Abunda CLICK HERE

© The FilAm 2022



2 Comments

  1. Eloisa Hoyte wrote:

    Can I simply just say what a comfort to uncover someone that truly understands what they are discussing over the internet. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people should look at this and understand this story.

  2. Rudy Piacenza wrote:

    Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!

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