By CALVIN CORDOVA
CEBU CITY – Some of the supposed victims of KAPA Ministry Community International, a religious group suspected to be engaged in investment scams, welcomed the arrest of its founder Joel Apolinario.
“Nida” (not her real name), a 30-year-old real estate broker, said the arrest of Apolinario has given her hope that she will be able recover the P1.7 million that she invested with the group.
“I am happy that he was arrested. It gives us the chance to get our money back,” said Nida.
Another victim, “Leda” (not her real name), said she is hoping that Apolinario’s arrest will finally stop the group’s illegal activities.
“I am thankful to our creator because at least it will finally stop them from duping people. I was duped twice that’s why I am very thankful to the police for arresting him (Apolinario),” Leda said.
Leda said that in Cebu alone, Kapa duped at least 25,000 individuals.
The group remained in constant communication through chat groups that they created.
“I have friends who invested P350,000 to P1 million. They never got their money back. We were really praying that this scam will put to an end because there were even some victims who committed suicide after losing money to the group,” Leda said.
Leda recalled they were asked to pay P350 each upon joining the group.
“The P350 was for our IDs and other requirements. That was only P350 but there were thousands of us who paid that amount. That’s a big money,” Leda said.
Leda said after Kapa was shut down, another investment company, which was also under Kapa, was put up.
“I also invested in the new group in the hopes of recovering my money but it was also closed last July,” said Leda.
Leda said she and her fellow victims are also hoping that a couple who served as officer-in-charge of Kapa in Cebu will be arrested.
The couple had gone missing after police raided the two Kapa offices in Liloan and Compostela in Cebu.
Leda said they will seek assistance from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG 7) in filing cases against Apolinario.
“We didn’t file cases right away because the group promised us that they will return our investment. But with the arrest now, we will push through with the filing of cases. I saw on TV that the police will assist us in filing cases so that our money will be recovered,” said Leda.
Police Major Ronald Allan Tolosa, deputy chief CIDG 7, said the arrest of Apolinario in Surigao del Sur will allow the wheels of justice to finally roll.
“Court hearings, court proceedings will finally start. At least justice will be given to the victims and at the same time, it will give Apolinario a chance to answer the allegations against him,” said Tolosa.
Tolosa said there were a number of complainants in Cebu who had filed cases against Apolinario.
