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Filipino 'appointed son of God' detained in Hawaii

Authorities find US$350,000 cash and rifle parts in pastor's plane
Filipino 'appointed son of God' detained in Hawaii

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, as pictured on the religious group's website. (ucanews.com photo)

Published: February 16, 2018 06:43 AM GMT
Updated: February 16, 2018 06:44 AM GMT

A Filipino pastor dubbed by his followers as the "appointed son of God" was temporarily detained in Hawaii this week after authorities found US$350,000 in cash and rifle parts in his private plane.

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, was later released after U.S. citizen Felina Salinas, a follower of the pastor, claimed ownership of the cash.

He arrived back in the Philippines on Feb. 15 on board a commercial flight, leaving his private plane in, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Israelito Torreon, the pastor's spokesman, denied a report that suggested US authorities were still holding the pastor was not true.

"I just talked to him a few minutes ago after he and his companions arrived in Manila," Torreon said in a radio interview in Manila.

A TV report by Hawaii News Now said US Customs and Border enforcement agents boarded Quiboloy's Cessna Citation Sovereign Plus aircraft on Feb. 13, and found the cash and gun parts.

Quiboloy, a long-time friend of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has once offered his private jet and a helicopter for the president's use. Duterte did not accept the offer. 

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