A special investigating team from Manila raided the office of the Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. in Tagum City and the house of its founder in Sarangani.
The raid came two days after President Rodrigo Duterte directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other government agencies to shut down investment schemes that are proliferating in Mindanao.
The team, composed of agents from NBI and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), implemented the search warrant issued by a Regional Trial Court judge based in the National Capital Region around 2 p.m. yesterday
The agents forcibly entered the KAPA office along Pioneer Street in Tagum City, Davao del Norte as the office was closed when they arrived yesterday.
A certain Robert Melendez, said to be an evangelist, later arrived and acknowledged the inspection. Melendez said they were closed because they have a religious gathering.
As Melendez could not provide the keys to the rooms inside the office, the raiding team forcibly opened them. The team also forcibly opened the vault but no money or other important documents were found inside the vault.
The raiding team confiscated some documents, including membership foms and other papers that may be used as evidence, and few cash found inside the office.
Meanwhile, Col. Ferlu Silvio, the director of Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office (DNPPO), ordered immediate investigation of police officers who are engaged in the KAPA operation.
This after it was found out that the KAPA office has special lanes for police, military and school principals and teachers.
Silvio said he was surprised to see the special lane for police offficers.
Silvio said he has directed his men not to engage in such investment scheme.
Also yesterday, another raiding team swooped into the house of KAPA founder Joel Apolinario in Sarangani, according to the ABS-CBN’s Southern Mindanao TV Patrol.
In a text message to TIMES, NBI regional director Dante Gierran said they will arrest all those financiers and even investors.
“Huhulihin natin sila lahat per order of the President,” Gierran said.
He said the closure of these get-rich scam organizations is inevitable.
Interviewed by his friend Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Saturday, Duterte said the activities of these investment schemes, including the Kapa, are clearly a form of estafa.
Several investment schemes have sprouted in Southern Mindanao and have reportedly been branching out as far as Luzon in recent days.
Some of the investment offices offer a 500 percent return of investment.
Most of them are based in Tagum City as they hardly penetrate Davao City following the restriction set by Mayor Sara Duterte.
Aside from Kapa, other companies include Rigen Marketing, Jogle and Ever Arm.
