TACLOBAN CITY- Rey Rosendal was supposed to have his ‘blessing’ in the amount of P15,000 from the Kappa Community Ministry International(Kapa)-Tacloban Branch on Tuesday(June 11) only to discover that the office was already closed and appeared to have been abandoned.
On Monday (June 10) afternoon, members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police raided the Kappa office which was already abandoned by its staff and only managed to obtain several documents and certificates.
“I came here to get my money. I did not know that it was closed already though my son told me that he heard about it,” the 55 year old man from Barangay Cabalawan, this city, said.
It was learned that members of the Kapa described their invested money as a ‘donation’ and a ‘blessing’ if they are to receive the monthly interest of their money.
Rosendal has invested a total amount of P25,000 starting on March 22 of this year.
On Tuesday, he was to receive P15,000 as his blessing.
“I hope they will still operate and have my money back which I was supposed to use for the repair of my house,”he said.
A woman who is from Pinabacdao, Samar was also scheduled to receive her blessing in the amount of P45,000, covering for three months of supposed interest, on Tuesday.
She made an investment of P50,000 March of this year.
She, too, was shocked that the Kapa office in Tacloban, located along Marasbaras District, was closed.
“It’s supposed to be my first blessing. I hope I can still receive it,” the 32-year old woman, who declined to give her name, said.
It was learned from her that she was encouraged to join the Kapa by her employer who plunk in P100,000 and was able to receive his monthly interest.
Another woman, who resides just within the area where the Kapa office is located, was also supposed to join it but discovered that it was also closed.
“I just thought that they are late in opening their office,” she said.
The woman, who also declined to give her name, said that she heard a lot of ‘good news’ from her friends about the Kapa and how their money grew fast.
Asked if she will still put her money in an investment-scheme, the woman just smile.
The Kapa was said to first operate in Tacloban January of this year with more than 10,000 members from different parts of Eastern Visayas.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered for the closure of Kapa, among others, for practicing pyramiding scheme.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
