THE Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the church of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for alleged human trafficking in Hawaii, according to an exclusive report by Hawaii News Now, immediately denied by the pastor’s camp in Davao City.
The investigation stems from a 2015 case involving a former Quiboloy church member who said she was physically abused for failing to raise enough money.
In an exclusive report, Hawaii News Now said the FBI was investigating Felina Salinas, reportedly the business manager of Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, for alleged human trafficking.
Salinas was one of those aboard Quiboloy’s plane when US authorities found $350,000 in undeclared cash and rifle parts inside the aircraft on Feb. 13, before the group headed back to the Philippines. Quiboloy was temporarily detained while Salinas was charged with attempted bulk cash smuggling.
Sources of Hawaii News, a local news outlet with its own verified Facebook page, said that shortly after Salinas’ arrest on Quiboloy’s plane, the FBI “pursued the trafficking angle.”
The news outlet said Salinas was previously arrested in 2015 “for allegedly assaulting a fellow church member, who claimed she was forced to raise money.”
The alleged victim, former Quiboloy church member Kristina Angeles, said she was made to sell “manapua and Krispy Kreme” donuts for church fundraisers “rain or shine.” She said church members were punished if they did not sell enough. Pearl Gajunera
Lawyer Israelito Torreen, Quiboloy’s legal counsel, said they have not received any notices from the FBI for the alleged investigation, saying all issues were just rumors and baseless.
“The congregation of Pastor Quiboloy is not involved in any criminal activities. It is for the spiritual needs of the people,” Torreon said.
He said he just came from Hawaii and could confirm that all Churches of Quiboloy were doing well and were not involved in any controversies.
Torreon also said there was no probe against Felina Salinas for human trafficking.
“There is no notice coming from the FBI, but if ever there will be one, we will face it. The Kingdom is innocent after all,” Torreon said.
Asked what are the possible reasons behind the allegations against the congregation, Torreon said they were suspecting a former member of the congregation who was expelled to be the person behind it.
“I am not naming any name, but there is a former member who we suspect to be spreading all these rumors,” he said.
Though Torreon did not name anyone, a former member by the name of Kristna Angeles was named by the Hawaii News Now who brought a complaint against Salinas for allegedly assaulting her.
“We’ve been slapped or yelled at. The last time, I…received punches over my arms and legs,” said Angeles’ statement as quoted by Hawaii News Now.
Clare Hanusz, a local attorney, said Angeles’ case “did indicate some of the classic signs of human trafficking.” Salinas’ lawyer, Michael Green, however, said the accusation was baseless, and the case “never should have been filed in the first place.”
Hawaii News Now said that “consumers have accused the church’s charity, the Children’s Joy Foundation, of aggressive fundraising and even misrepresentation.”
