BI on lookout for KAPA execs

MANILA, Philippines — Officials and incorporators of the Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. (KAPA) have been placed on the immigration lookout bulletin order for their alleged involvement in an investment scam.

KAPA founder Joel Apolinario and incorporators Nonita Urbano, Junnie Apolinario, Nelia Nino, Maria Pellea Sevilla, Jouelyn del Castillo, Cristobal Barabad and Joji Jusay were included in the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) lookout list as directed by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

 KAPA officers Reyna Apolinario, Modies Dagala, Benigno Tipan Jr., Marnilyn Maturan, Ricky Taer and Margie Danao were the KAPA officers in the BI list.

Chairman Jerson Cagang, corporate secretary Cynthia Gomeri and chief financial officer Ailene Mancoa officers of the Alabel Maasim Credit Cooperative, which is also tagged in an investment scam, are also on the list.

”Immigration officers were directed to monitor within all ports of exit and entry the movement of those covered and verify if legal basis exists to prevent them from leaving Philippine jurisdiction,” Department of Justice Undersecretary Mark Perete said.

‘Nonsensical, pompous’

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo shrugged off the call of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for KAPA members to file an impeachment complaint against President for ”meddling“ in the operations of the group.

”Other than saying that the latest ranting of the incorrigible shameless former military renegade is as usual nonsensical and pompous, it is undeserving of a response,” Panelo said in a text message to reporters. 

Trillanes said the government could not order the closure of KAPA offices if the organization is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a religious organization and if the supposed investments of its members were declared as donations. 

The President urged the public not to join KAPA and called on law enforcers to arrest without bail the founders and leaders of the organization for large-scale estafa. He also ordered the closure of all companies involved in Ponzi scheme.

However, some KAPA members and officials said they received reports that Apolinario announced that Duterte allowed the continued operations of their group for ”humanitarian reasons.” – With Christina Mendez, Ben Serrano, Edith Regalado