GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police have tightened security measures here in connection with the two-day synchronized prayer rally by members of controversial religious group Kapa Community Ministry International Inc.
Hundreds of Kapa members from this city and nearby provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato started to converge on Thursday morning at the city's oval plaza for the prayer rally called by its founder, Pastor Joel Apolinario.
The group is mainly urging President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the closure since last week of Kapa's operations, especially its investment activities.
Maj. Jovenson Bayona, chief of the city police's operations and management branch, said they assigned at least 350 police personnel to secure the gathering, which is expected to again draw thousands of Kapa members.
He said they also tapped barangay peacekeeping volunteers and troops from the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan to augment their security operations.
"This is to make sure that no untoward incident will happen during the event," Bayona said in a radio interview.
The police official said they have also coordinated with organizers of the prayer rally to ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of their activities.
The city government, through the city permits and licensing division, has issued a permit to the Kapa for the holding of the prayer rally.
Last week, the group mobilized around 100,000 of its members for a grand prayer rally held at the Acharon Sports Complex in Barangay Calumpang here.
"We're hoping that it will be peaceful and orderly just like their previous gathering," Bayona said.
Apolinario called for the holding of the prayer rally through a video message sent to its members via social media earlier this week.
He admitted that he has been in hiding following his brief appearance in last week's gathering due to supposed threats on his life.
The National Bureau of Investigation has launched a manhunt against Apolinario following the raid at his house in Barangay City Heights here and Kapa offices in parts of the country last week on orders from President Duterte.
Kapa, which was a registered religious group, was earlier flagged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for soliciting investments from the public in the form of donations at a monthly interest rate of 30 percent.
The SEC has since revoked the group's registration and issued a cease and desist order against its operations. (PNA)
