By Benjamin Pulta/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is now preparing criminal charges against corporate officials of the KAPA Community Ministry International.
“There was no religion involved in their activities,” NBI Deputy Director for Operations Service Antonio Pagatpat told newsmen Tuesday.
Pagatpat confirmed that 14 search warrants were enforced against known offices of the organizations in Taytay, Rizal; Barangay San Geronimo in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya; and in Barangay Poblacion in Compostela, Cebu.
Aside from documents and reports, likewise recovered were PHP2.2 million and PHP300,000 in cash respectively in two separate offices.
Pagatpat said the operations recovered a paper trail suggesting that up to PHP100 million a day in payouts were being processed by the group’s leaders, who promoted the “donations” of a minimum of PHP5,000 so a member can be entitled to a 30-percent interest called “blessing” by the group.
A member who recruits another is entitled to a 5 percent finder’s fee.
Aside from charges for violation of the Securities Regulation Code, the NBI said they are looking into possible charges of large-scale estafa, a non-bailable offense against the group’s leaders led by pastor Joel Apolinario, Pagatpat said.
The NBI noted that the group’s corporate papers had already been cancelled and that it has no secondary license to engage in investment activities.
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