"A massive police and military force was used to hunt for Quiboloy at the sprawling compound of his church, Kingdom of Jesus Christ, in an operation that began on Aug. 24.

Hundreds of the pastor's supporters formed human barricades to block search attempts. Suspecting a network of underground bunkers, authorities deployed sensing machines used after earthquakes to detect signs of activity underground.

The weeks-long standoff transfixed Filipinos, reminiscent of the way Americans viewed the Branch Davidian impasse near Waco, Texas.

As in that 1993 case, Quiboloy is accused of operating a cult and using his power to extract sex and money from victims.

But in a key distinction, Quiboloy is far from a fringe figure:

he's a high-profile ally and confidante of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte."

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Cult leaders are all alike...