Kapa founder arrested, two supporters killed in shootout in Surigao del Sur

July 21, 2020

Police arrested the founder of a group linked to an investment scam in an operation where two supporters were killed in a shootout Tuesday.

Kapa Community Ministry International founder Joel Apolinario was arrested after the shootout  in Lingig, Surigao del Sur  as police tried to serve an arrest warrant for estafa.

An initial report from the Caraga police said cops, including Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, arrested Apolinario during a raid at the Isolated Resort in Barangay Handamayan at around 7:30 a.m.

Apolinario's followers allegedly opened fire at the policemen.

A Kapa follower, Melecio Siano, was brought to a hospital for a gunshot wound  on his left leg.

Seized from Apolinario's group are assorted high-powered firearms consisting of 30 M-16 rifles, two M-14 rifles, a Garand rifle, thee 60 caliber machine guns, five .45 caliber pistols, a sniper rifle, three .22 caliber rifles, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers and a shotgun.

Apoinario, 46,  is the subject of a manhunt after the Securities and Exchange Commission claimed his  group defrauded millions of investors. The amount is estimated at P50 billion.

Kapa Community Ministry International allegedly promised a 30 percent return on investments  for life.

In 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Kapa shut down.

Kapa spokesman Joffrey Cagape, in a statement posted on Facebook, said Apolinario surrendered to face charges against him. Cagape said Kapa's legal team were present during the serving of the warrant. DMS