Police chopper lands in cult compound 'sheltering sex predator preacher' in the Philippines

This is the moment a police chopper landed in a religious compound allegedly sheltering a wanted preacher in the Philippines.

Footage shows the helicopter arriving at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) complex to arrest suspected sex offender Apollo Quiboloy, 74, in Davao del Sur on August 30.

Solar panels from a nearby university collapsed as the aircraft carrying regional police chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III flew low for a 20-minute aerial survey over the 30-hectare estate.

Police believe Quiboloy - wanted by the FBI - was still in the compound, despite claims by his legal counsel that he had already fled the premises in March.

More than 2,000 cops were deployed to serve an arrest warrant for the fugitive religious figure who leads the KOJC - a Christian sect allegedly with seven million members.

His harem of female devotees are said to have performed 'nighttime duties' taking it in turns to sleep with him.

Furious fanatics had squared off against the police on August 24, leading to 18 arrests for obstruction of justice. Six policemen were injured in the clashes.

The KOJC compound was reported to house a labyrinthine network of underground tunnels and passages, and even a hangar with a taxiway leading to the Davao International Airport.

Police Major Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson for Police Regional Office XI, said: 'Based on what we detected on our device, we can say that there is an underground facility.'

Davao Police brought more monitoring equipment into the estate, including a sound cannon typically used for crowd control.

Quiboloy, who has styled himself an 'Appointed Son of God', is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling. He also allegedly traffics members around the world, with an inner circle of women who perform what they call 'nighttime duties', taking it in turns to sleep with him.

He grew his following through radio, televangelism, and social media.

Quiboloy has ties with the powerful Duterte family ruling local politics in Davao City. He served as spiritual adviser to the vitriolic former President Rodrigo Duterte and allegedly enjoyed the politician's protections until he stepped down in 2022.