NBI preparing several complaints vs Kapa officers

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is now preparing several charges, including large-scale and syndicated estafa complaints, against the officials of Kabus Padatoon (Kapa) Ministry International for alleged involvement in na investment scam.

The NBI revealed this on Tuesday following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the closure of Kapa and the arrest of its officials after receiving complaint against the firm for encouraging people to “donate” any amount in exchange for a 30-percent monthly return.

READ: Duterte wants Kapa, other investment scams probed, shut down

The NBI said Kapa would be held liable for violations of Sections 8 and 26 of the Security Regulation Code (SRC).

Aside from these violations, the NBI said the agency is also preparing to file charges for large-scale and syndicated estafa against Kapa officers.

“We are preparing for the appropriate complaint against the founder and other officers of Kapa,” NBI  Deputy Director Atty. Antonio Pagatpat said in a press conference.

“For violation of the SRC, hindi kailangan na may mga private complainants tayo. Ang important ay mayroong acts violated,” Pagatpat noted, adding that private complainants would come out as soon as charges have been filed by the NBI.

Pagatpat added that several of NBI’s agents also registered to become members of Kapa to verify the activities within the firm.

“Before [the] raid, mayroon tayong mga agents na nagpa-member mismo at dito na-confirm na ang kanilang procedure o processes ay hindi isang donasyon but investment. Maliwanag sa certification na ibinigay ng Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] na itong Kapa ay walang secondary license, which is needed for a corporation to accept donation or start an investment activity,” the NBI added.

Pagatpat said there were also no religious activities being conducted by the company, saying that those who wish to be members only need to give “donations.”

“Based [on] reports from our agents, wala tayong nakitang religious activity, from day one… In fact, tinatanggap nila lahat kung saan ka man galing na sektor na relihiyon, basta may donasyon ka. Tinatawag nila na donation, pero lahat ng characteristic ng isang investment nandoon,” Pagatpat said.

“Ang donasyon ay wala kang ine-expect na interest, na return. Kaya kapag ikaw ay nag donate, bigay mo na yan lahat. Dito, ipinangangako ang 30 percent interest a month,” Pagatpat added.

The NBI also explained that the organization’s investment scheme was “bound to fail.”

“Walang maiturong panggagalingan ng 30 percent kaya napakaliwanag nito na its bound to fail. Ang ibibigay na porsyento sa first investors ay galing sa mga susunod na investors. Dadating ang panahon na hindi ma-sustain ang payouts dahil darating ang panahon na titigil mag-invest ng mga tao,” Pagatpat said.

Following Duterte’s order, the NBI and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday conducted a raid of the home of Kapa founder Joel Apolinario in General Santos City. The authorities also raided Kapa offices in Tagum and General Santos.

The NBI, however, said that Apolinario was not at his home when the raid was conducted but several pieces of evidence were recovered.

Among the pieces of evidence recovered include documents showing the flow of money in and out of the firm, Pagatpat said. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

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