Gamboa eyes creating task group that will assist complainants vs Kapa

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa is planning to have a task group that will assist those who were allegedly swindled by Kapa Community Ministry International founder Joel Apolinario.

"Probably we can create a special task group just to put things in order kasi maraming... of course 'yung claimants would ask kung saan sila tatakbo,” Gamboa said at a virtual press briefing on Wednesday.

"Now we know, in the previous cases of Apolinario, there have been attachments made by the court so siguro para naman... kasi I don't know if what agency is going to take charge but it seems medyo tayo na ang nauna. We will just create a special task group purposely first to take care of all the complainants and the possibility of facilitating their claim over the properties and bank accounts attached," he added.

Gamboa said this is a legal matter, however, he said the police could initially take over the process.

"Anyway, nasa atin si Apolinario so that kung mayroon man puwedeng i-claim 'yung mga na-swindle niya dati, at least mayroon tayong... we just put things in order. We just take the lead unless the Department of Justice would later on take cognizance of all of this," he said.

Police on Tuesday nabbed Apolinario and 23 others at Sitio Dahican in Barangay Handamayan, Lingig town. Two were killed while another one was hurt during the operation of the police after a firefight between Kapa members and authorities.

During the operation, police recovered a number of firearms including 30 units of M16 rifle; two units of M4 rifle; one unit of Garand rifle; three units of 60 caliber machine gun; one unit of 50 caliber sniper rifle; three units of caliber 22 rifle; one unit of carbine; one unit of shotgun; two units of RPG; five units of caliber 45 pistol; and assorted ammunition.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, CARAGA police spokesperson Police Major Rene Serrano said it was difficult to locate Apolinario because he had been transferring from one residence to another.

"Palipat-lipat siya ng tirahan, kaya hindi kaagad natin naapplyan ng search warrant, alam ninyo naman kung ilang days lang ang bisa ng search warrant, ten days lang pag nag-apply ka sa judge," Serrano said.

"Kailangan talaga ma-establish mo kung saan talaga siya nakatira at saan siya puwedeng maabutan ng number of days sa loob ng search warrant," he added.

The operation was done to serve a warrant of arrest against the suspects for the crime of syndicated estafa, with no bail recommended, and implementation of search warrants for Republic Act 9516 and 10591.

Serreno said police would also file a complaint for alleged violation of Article 147 of the Revised Penal Code (Illegal Assembly) against Apolinario for supposedly having a private armed group.

State prosecutors have filed criminal charges against the Kapa officers for violations of the Securities Regulation Code based on allegations by the corporate regulator.

The SEC had accused Kapa of enticing the public to invest at least P10,000 into the organization in exchange for a 30% monthly return for life "without having to do anything other than invest and wait for the payout."

Prosecutors from the Department of Justice had found the officers sold or offered securities for sale without filing a registration statement with the SEC.—AOL, GMA News