ALABEL, Sarangani, Philippines — At least a hundred people who invested their money in Kapa Community Ministry International stormed the religious corporation’s headquarters in Barangay Bagacay here early Wednesday, taking whatever they could from the offices as two caretakers of the compound watched helplessly.
The crowd of angry investors forced themselves into the Kapa compound a day after police arrested its founder, Joel Apolinario, and 23 of his followers in a secluded resort in Lingig town, Surigao del Sur province. Apolinario is facing syndicated estafa charges for allegedly duping thousands of people through a get-rich-quick scheme that promised investors three to 10 times of “donations” they made to Kapa.
LOOT A tricycle packed with office drawers, panels and filing cabinets (top photo) is left at the headquarters of Kapa Community Ministry International in Alabel, Sarangani province, as
policemen arrive to secure the area from looters. A caretaker (bottom photo) ensures that the compound’s gate is locked to prevent unauthorized people from entering the religious
group’s offices. —PHOTOS BY BONG SARMIENTO
Overpowered
Johnny Coral, one of the caretakers, said they could do nothing when the crowd stormed and looted the office.
“We were overpowered,” he told the Inquirer.
Coral and his companion were the only people that kept watch over the more than a hectare compound that had been closed since President Duterte ordered Apolinario’s arrest last year.
The mob spared nothing, taking office chairs, flower pots and even uninstalled toilet bowls and other items from the compound, Coral said.
Policemen arrived past 9 a.m. to secure the place, but the crowd had disappeared by then. A tricycle loaded with ransacked items, mostly office table drawers, and several motorcycles had been left behind when the police came.
Police Gen. Archie Gamboa, speaking in an online press conference on Wednesday, commended the Caraga regional police, saying those who took part in the operation would be given “appropriate awards and recognition, meritorious promotion and monetary reward.”
Police Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., Caraga police director, said Apolinario’s companions fired first at the raiding team, prompting them to fire back, killing two Kapa followers, identified as Allan Binongo and Denize Dialoding, and wounding another.
Police Maj. Renel Serrano, information officer of Caraga police, said the cache of high-powered firearms seized during the raid belonged to Apolinario. The resort, Serrano said, is also owned by the Kapa founder.
Esquivel said they were preparing charges against Apolinario and his followers for violations of the firearms and ammunition law and for illegal possession of explosives and direct assault.
Apolinario and his 23 followers are detained in Cantilan town police station in Surigao del Sur.
Task force
Gamboa said that a special task group would investigate the possible involvement of government and security officials in Kapa’s investment scam.
“The special task group is there to investigate who are involved here, the so-called members of the police and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and all members of the government,” Gamboa said.
He said these accomplices would be charged and arrested, “if evidence warrants.”
Gamboa said the task group would also assist people who lost their money to Apolinario.
“We just take the lead unless the Department of Justice would later on take cognizance of all of this,” he added.
Gamboa said the PNP had been monitoring Apolinario and his armed guards since January, in compliance with the special directive from Mr. Duterte to arrest the Kapa founder.