GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) here has launched an investigation into the ownership and possible location of the helicopter being used by Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. founder Pastor Joel Apolinario.
Lawyer Regner Peneza, head of the NBI Sarangani district office, said they were specifically checking whether the chopper was registered under the name of Apolinario or his wife Reyna.
"If it is indeed under his name, it is one of the assets that may be seized by AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council)," he told reporters on Tuesday.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which formally filed charges on Tuesday against Apolinario and other Kapa officers over their alleged illegal investment operations, had acquired a freeze order from the Court of Appeals for the group's assets.
The freeze order, which was acquired earlier this month through the AMLC, covers bank deposits, insurance policies, cryptocurrency holdings and other assets, including a helicopter.
The chopper, painted in Kapa's maroon and gold colors, is a four-seater Robinson R44 model based on its body marking.
Peneza said it was used by Apolinario when he briefly appeared at the group's prayer rally at the Acharon sports complex here last June 13.
He said they are looking at how the chopper was able to land at the city sports complex since the site was then considered a no-fly zone in line with the visit of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The official said all aircraft landings should have clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Peneza said they already inquired with the CAAP office here regarding the ownership and registration of the chopper.
"We're looking at how the use of the chopper was allowed, where it came from and where it proceeded," he said.
The NBI has launched a manhunt against Apolinario following the raid at his house in Barangay City Heights here and Kapa offices in various parts of the country last June 10.
It has since shut down the operations of Kapa based on orders from President Rodrigo Duterte.
Peneza said they already received a complaint from "investors" of Kapa and another investment operator, Alabel Maasim Credit Cooperative or Alamcco.
Kapa and Alamcco were flagged by SEC for soliciting investments from the public in the form of donations and memberships at monthly payouts of 30 and 35 percent, respectively.
"The complainants mainly want to recover their investments," Peneza said. (PNA)
