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Monday, November 19, 2012

Gov’t doing everything to arrest suspects of AMAN scam, says DILG chief

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, November 19 (PIA) –- The government will run after the perpetrators of the multi-billion pyramid Aman scam that has victimized 10,000 people in Pagadian and its neighboring places.

The assurance was made by Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas during his recent visit here in Pagadian for a consultative meeting with the local officials and some investors.

Roxas said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has ordered the Department of Justice (DoJ) , National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) , Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)  and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to expedite the filing of cases and the possible arrest of the executives and officials of the Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc.

The Aman Futures managed by Manuel K. Amalilio, whose Malaysian name is Mohammad Suffian Saaid, started operating in Pagadian in Mach 2012 and has lured thousands of investors because of the promise of a high return of investment by offering a 30% to 40% within eight days, and a 50% to 80% profit for 18 to 21 days.

“Inatasan po ako ng Pangulo na pumunta rito para masugid na maimbestigahan, dinggin ang inyong personal na pananaw at arestuhin namin ang mga gumawa nito( The president has ordered me to be here to conduct an investigation, listen to your personal  views, and to assure you that the government will do everything to arrest the perpetrators),” the DILG chief said.

The perpetrators DILG chief was referring to and who are facing arrest are Manuel Amalilio, Fernando “Nonoy” Luna, Lelian Lim Gan, Edward L. Lim, William L. Fuentes, Naezelle M. Rodriguez and Lurix Lopez.

Among those who gave their statements to the Aman scam were Christ the Lord of Glory Fellowship pastor Hipolito Paner, Kawit punong barangay Sangcadra Dimasar , Southern Mindanao College instructor Vince Bulawin, Zamboanga del Sur School of Arts and Trades principal Agusto T. Gavenia and many others
  
Paner said over P889-M which was owned by 1,000 pastors of their church was personally handed to Luna in Kawit.

Bulawin for his part testified that he has deposited the amount 180,000 on September 3, at UCPB Bank under the account of Amalilio.
   
Gavenia, along with his co-teachers were also lured by the scam however, did not divulge the exact amount they invested.

While, Dimasar invested P103-M thru the account of his son, Giovanni on September 3, and fortunately was able to cash out P59-M when he angrily confronted Luna.

Roxas was sad after listening to the stories of the victims.

“Nalulungkot at lumuluha ang puso ko na nadinig na kasama sa mga maraming nabiktima ay ang mga pastor ng mga simbahan dahil trabaho ng Diyos ang kanilang ginagawa(I am very sad and my heart is crying when I learned that part of the many victims were pastors of churches because they are working  for God),” Roxas said.

Roxas assured the victims that the government is doing everything it can to arrest the perpetrators but did not give assurance that the money taken by Amalilio will be recovered saying that it would be very hard to monitor cash movement.

As of today, an initial 8,339 cases were already filed at the NBI Pagadian field office against the suspects.  (JPA/GCC/PIA,Pagadian City