MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday slapped the founder and officials of religious group Kapa-Community Ministry International of syndicated estafa charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Kapa founder pastor Joel Apolinario and 13 other officials of the group were charged with eight counts of syndicated estafa as the religious group was accused of masterminding one of the country’s biggest investment scams.
The NBI filed charges of violation of the Securities and Regulation Code against Apolinario and other Kapa officials due to their alleged engagement in fraudulent transactions.
Aside from Apolinario, tagged as respondents were the firm’s incorporators namely Nonita Urbano, Junnie Apolinario, Nelia Nino, Maria Pella Sevilla, Jaquelyn del Castillo, Cristobal Barabad, and Joji Jusay.
Corporate secretary Reyna Apolinario, director and treasurer Modie Dagala, and corporate directors Benigno Tipan Jr., Marnilyn Maturan, Ricky Taer, and Margie Danao were also included.
The NBI accompanied three complainants in filing the case including a female senior citizen from Dinagat Islands, who was duped of her retirement fund amounting to P500,000, her 38-year-old son who invested P45,000, and a woman who invested P30,000.
According to the NBI, Kapa’s offices in Taytay, Rizal and Quezon City continued to transact with the public despite a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) decision on April 3 revoking its certificate of registration.
SEC’s Market and Securities Regulation Department on May 16 said Kapa has not registered any securities and has no permit to sell securities.
The complaint is the first case of syndicated estafa filed against Kapa officials.
s of the group were charged with eight counts of syndicated estafa as the religious group was accused of masterminding one of the country’s biggest investment scams.
The NBI filed charges of violation of the Securities and Regulation Code against Apolinario and other Kapa officials due to their alleged engagement in fraudulent transactions.
Aside from Apolinario, tagged as respondents were the firm’s incorporators namely Nonita Urbano, Junnie Apolinario, Nelia Nino, Maria Pella Sevilla, Jaquelyn del Castillo, Cristobal Barabad, and Joji Jusay.
Corporate secretary Reyna Apolinario, director and treasurer Modie Dagala, and corporate directors Benigno Tipan Jr., Marnilyn Maturan, Ricky Taer, and Margie Danao were also included.
The NBI accompanied three complainants in filing the case including a female senior citizen from Dinagat Islands, who was duped of her retirement fund amounting to P500,000, her 38-year-old son who invested P45,000, and a woman who invested P30,000.
According to the NBI, Kapa’s offices in Taytay, Rizal and Quezon City continued to transact with the public despite a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) decision on April 3 revoking its certificate of registration.
SEC’s Market and Securities Regulation Department on May 16 said Kapa has not registered any securities and has no permit to sell securities.
The complaint is the first case of syndicated estafa filed against Kapa officials.
It is currently pending in the DOJ and is undergoing preliminary investigation for violation of the Securities and Regulations Code which was filed by the SEC./PN
