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