Philippine 'Son of God' preacher pleads not guilty to sex trafficking charge

FILE PHOTO: Filipinol evangelist pastor Apollo Quiboloy (L) welcomes senator and presidential candidate Manuel Villar (C) and his vice-presidential candidate Loren Legarda during his 60th birthday celebration in Davao city, southern Philippines April 25, 2010. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco/File Photo

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine celebrity pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God", pleaded not guilty on Friday to a charge of sex trafficking, his lawyer said.

Quiboloy, who is facing a raft of charges in the Philippines and the United States including sex trafficking, money laundering and child abuse, was arrested on Sunday after a weeks-long search of his church's sprawling 30-hectare (74-acre) compound by more than 2,000 security personnel.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by John Mair)