Lawyer says rival church group behind false claims

DAVAO CITY - A former follower of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy reportedly accused the church leader of running a "child sex ring."

The allegation, Hawaii News Now reported, was made by Kristine Angeles' counsel to defend his client in a court case where she is being accused by a female church member of sexual assault.

Lawyer Grant Giventer further claimed in court documents that Angeles was just one of several minors forced to have sex with the church leader.

But Quiboloy's counsel, Israelito Torreon, denied these allegations, saying that a rival church organization helping Angeles was behind the false claims.

"The new allegation that Pastor Quiboloy is involved in child sex rape, in behalf of the Kingdom, this charge is a pack of lies. This is not true," he said, stressing that the accusations are vague.

"We know for a fact that somebody is supporting her. Since 2015, she managed to delay the case and she kept on moving the postponement of that sexual assault case," he added.

Torreon also said that Angeles' grandmother, aunt and cousin who are still active members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in Davao City are upset and angry at her.

The report said Angeles came to Hawaii in 2014 on a religious visa but was tasked to sell "manapua and Krispy Kreme" donuts for the church's foundation.

She claimed being kicked by Quiboloy's business manager, Fe Salinas, when she didn't sell enough. A case against Salinas is ongoing.

Salinas was one of the church members who were briefly detained in Hawaii last February after federal agents found $350,000 in cash hidden in socks in a private plane where Quiboloy was on board.

A separate Hawaii News Now report earlier said the FBI is investigating the Quiboloy church in Waipahu for alleged human trafficking, which Torreon denied and dismissed as baseless.

• Quiboloy church not engaged in human trafficking: lawyer