POLICE CAPTURED the founder of KAPA Community Ministry International, or KAPA, following
a firefight that killed 2 gunmen on an island resort in Surigao del Sur’s
Lingig town where security forces tracked down the elusive Joel Apolinario.
Apolinario, who is accused of large scale
investment scam, was arrested along with 23 other armed followers on July 21 in
the village of Handamayan where he is reportedly constructing a mansion despite
being on the run.
Philippine National Police Chief, General Archie Gamboa confirmed
the capture of Apolinario and his followers, and commended those involved in
the operation, mostly from the regional police office in Caraga.
Gamboa branded Apolinario as notorious, who has been hiding for
months, and facing charges of syndicated estafa. He said President Rodrigo
Duterte also ordered Apolinario’s arrest following accusations that he defrauded
at least 5 million people who invested on KAPA which promised a
30% monthly return on investments for life.
“The
special directive came from President Rodrigo Duterte. Arrest Apolinario and
his cohorts to vindicate the thousands of members from Visayas and Mindanao who
were victimized by KAPA’s massive investment scam,” Gamboa said.
Gamboa said police forces in Caraga have been searching for
Apolinario and his group until he was tracked down in his island-hideout. He
said when police tried to serve a warrant, gunmen guarding the mansion’s towers
opened fire on the cops and sparking a firefight that killed 2 of Apolinario’s
followers.
This was also confirmed by Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel, Jr.,
the regional police chief, who reported to Gamboa that “the operating team was
engaged in a firefight with Apolinario and his men during the service of the
warrant of arrest.”
Apolinario and the other gunmen surrendered after police forces surrounded
the mansion.
Gamboa said police recovered from Apolinario’s mansion over two
dozen M16 automatic rifles, two M4 rifle, one Garand rifle, three M60 machine
guns, one .50-caliber machine gun, one sniper rifle, three .22-caliber rifles,
one Carbine rifle, one shot gun, two anti-tank rocket propelled grenade
launchers, five .45-caliber pistols and assorted ammunition.
How
It Started
Apolinario founded KAPA - which literally means Kabus Padatoon or Making the Poor Rich - in 2016 as Kapa Cooperative
Convenience Store and General Merchandise in Bislig City. But the City Economic
Enterprise Department locked down the business for failing to comply with some local
government requirements.
And in August 2017, Apolinario was charged with 102
cases for not settling investment claims and 27 arrest warrants were issued by
the courts. However, all the cases were dismissed with the complainants
compensated by KAPA.
Apolinario’s company eventually become KAPA-Community
Ministry International. The company enlisted new members, who became “member-donors”
and in turn recruited new members.
The Securities and Exchanges Commission also filed
criminal charges against KAPA Community Ministry International and its
executives, citing an investment scam.
And on June 8, 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered
the National Bureau of Investigation to shut down KAPA, saying, the
company was “clearly a form of syndicated estafa.” A criminal investigation
revealed that members would have to donate at least P10,000 to receive the
promised return of 30% a month.
On June 10, the NBI raided Apolinario’s home in General
Santos City, but he was not there. The NBI also raided 14 branches of KAPA with
a warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 20.
The Court of Appeals had already frozen the bank
accounts and assets of KAPA due to the suspected scheme.
On June 13, a certain Xian Gaza exposed that Apolinario
would escape the country with no plans of returning. And the next day, the Department
of Justice issued an immigration lookout against Apolinario and 14 other
KAPA members to prevent them from fleeing the country.
On June 16, the SEC announced that over ₱100 million worth of assets were
linked to KAPA. The SEC even cited public records that showed at least 9 luxury
cars, other sports utility vehicles, and still other properties were registered
under KAPA and its executives.
It also revealed that KAPA members were promised to
receive a “love gift” as the interest of their investments. The SEC estimated
that KAPA had invested about ₱50
billion from donations from its members over the last three years.
On June 21, a video message posted by Apolinario stated that he asked
the government to help KAPA return the money to its members after the
Anti-Money Laundering Council froze the company's accounts. (Mindanao Examiner)
Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates
No comments:
Post a Comment