DILG orders mayors to revoke Kapa’s business permits

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered all mayors in the country to revoke the business permits of Kapa Community Ministry International, which is accused of running a massive investment scam.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also said no business permits should be given to Kapa subsidiaries or local chapters.

“Marami na ang naloko at marami pa sa ating mga kababayan ang maloloko sa investment scam na ito kung hindi ito aaksiyunan ng mga mayor. Siguruhin ninyong hindi na magpapatuloy ang operasyon ng Kapa,” said Año in a statement on Monday, June 17.

(Many have been fooled and many other Filipinos would be fooled if mayors don’t take action. Mayors should ensure that Kapa’s operations will no longer continue.)

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had revoked Kapa’s certificate of registration after it found that the group was engaged in a Ponzi scheme. Kapa recruited members to donate a minimum amount of P10,000, promising them a 30% monthly return for life.

“Sa kaso ng Kapa, malinaw na may pag-abuso sa pribilehiyong ipinagkaloob ng pamahalaan sa pagpasok nito sa isang negosyo na nangangako ng kitang hindi nito kayang tuparin,” said Año.

(In the case of Kapa, it is clear that there was abuse of the privilege granted by the government when it entered into a business and promised returns that it could not deliver.)

The Court of Appeals has since frozen Kapa’s assets, and the SEC has so far secured over P100 million worth of assets linked to the group.

The Department of Justice also issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against Kapa founder Pastor Joel Apolinario and 14 others.

President Rodrigo Duterte himself slammed Kapa and other investment scams in early June, saying they should be shut down. Kapa members appealed to Duterte to reconsider, with some even claiming that Apolinario is a “modern-day Moses.” – Rappler.com