MEMBERS of Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc. (Kapa) still hope that President Rodrigo Duterte would change his stand against the religious group.
Maribel Marquez, 45, barbecue vendor at the Roxas Night Market in Davao City, said she was still hoping that Kapa will continue operating even after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered its shutdown.
Marquez warned that a lot of people would rebel if Kapa ceases operations.
"Hunahunaon lang god nga pila na ka libo ka tawo ang miyembro sa Kapa, mag-rebelde ni, nganong gihilabtan pa man kini sa gobyerno nga unta wala man naapektuhan ang ekonomiya sa nasud (Just think about the thousands of Kapa members if they rebel, why would the government meddle when the economy is not affected)," she said.
She alleged that the Duterte administration's action against Kapa is part of political preparations for 2022.
"Basin politika ang naglimin niini nga hitabo karon, wala ta kabalo nga dunay moingon diha karon nga mopahimong legal sa mga money investment schemes, kana atong hulaton, pero atoa istorya lang ni (Politics may be behind what's happening now, who knows these investment schemes will be legalized)," Marquez said.
Lola Josefa, one of the investors, went down on her knees while being interviewed on TV to ask the President to allow Kapa to continue operating because she needs her expected payout to pay for the hospital bill of her son.
"If you get to see me right now, I am wholeheartedly kneeling in front of you to please allow Kapa to operate because it is a huge help in my life," Lola Josefa said.
Netizens, meanwhile, shared mixed reactions to Duterte’s order to shut down Kapa. Some lauded the president's decision, while others said it is unjust.
"Sakit kaau paminawon apan tinuod. Kung di mo kasabot kang Tatay Digong wa may pugsanay (Truth hurts indeed. If you cannot understand the president's action, you are not forced to do so)," Facebook user Roger Sucaldito said.
"Instead of criticizing, judging, blaming, or making things worse let's try to respect each other's opinions," John Mar Sonza Macundo said.
Senator-elect Christopher "Bong" Go, meanwhile, asked the public to understand the President’s decision to shut down Kapa.
"Paminawon ninyo inyong amahan, kay walay lain pangandoy ang atong amahan kundi ang kaayohan sa tanan, (As father of the nation, we should listen to the President because he just wanted to ensure the betterment of everyone)," Go said during his thanksgiving activity at Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center Friday, June 14, 2019.
The President, on Thursday, June 13, renewed his call to the public to stop investing in Kapa saying, "If it is too good to be true, it is really wrong."
"Patuo sa ako kay abogado ko, Presidente ko ninyo. Ayaw sulod dira kay ilad na. If it is too good to be true, ayaw og sulod dira (Listen to me because I am a lawyer and I am your President. Do not invest your money in these investment schemes because these are scams. If it is too good to be true, don't invest in it)," he said during a speaking engagement on Thursday afternoon at the Barangay Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos City.
However, this was contrary to Kapa founder Pastor Joel Apolinario's speech in a prayer rally event also held on the same day.
“Pinaagi sa iyahang (Duterte) kaluoy nato. Pinaagi sa kaluoy sa atong Presidente, nahimong makapadayon ta (Through President Duterte's mercy, we shall be able to continue operating)," Apolinario said in his speech.
A Facebook post by an alleged Kapa supporter questioned the authenticity of the President’s live speech aired by PTV, a government-owned network on Thursday.
The post said that Duterte and Apolinario allegedly met already and agreed that the religious group will be allowed to continue operating.
Reports on the alleged meeting gave members and investors hope that Duterte will allow Kapa to continue operations.
Several media outlets reported that the President ordered the religious leader to meet him either in General Santos City or Davao City. This is according to a certain pastor Reynaldo Camingawan. However, both camps did not confirm the report.