Court issues precautionary HDO vs Kapa officers

A Davao City court issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against officers of the Kapa Community Ministry International Inc., including founder Pastor Joel Apolinario, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday.

The Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 16 granted prosecutors' application for a PHDO against eight officers of the religious corporation, which the government had called an investment scam, Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete told reporters in a message.

The following were covered by the HDO, according to a copy of the order that Perete released: Joel Apolinario alias Kuya Jack; Reyna Apolinario, Margie Apolinario Danao, Catherine Evangelista, Rene Catubigan alias Pastor Catubigon, Marisol Diaz, Adelfa Fernandico, and Moises Mopia.

Eight Kapa officers were earlier placed on an immigration watchlist, namely Joel and Reyna Apolinario, Modie Dagala, Benigno Tipan, Jr., Marnilyn Maturan, Ricky Taer, Joji Tusay, and Margie Danao.

Several Kapa officers also faced complaints for alleged violations of the Securities Regulation Code before the DOJ. Prosecutors would investigate the complaint to decide whether or not to charge them in court for trial.

A PHDO is issued by a court upon application by prosecutors against persons suspected of committing crimes. Like an HDO, which is issued against persons already charged in court, a PHDO prevents an individual from leaving the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Kapa shut down by law enforcement agents last month. Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered the corporation to stop soliciting investments without the proper license.

The Court of Appeals has also issued a freeze order on several bank accounts and other assets of Kapa in response to a petition by the corporate regulator and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

Kapa members have protested the government crackdown. — DVM, GMA News