Roxas orders hunt for money scam’s head

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

Saturday, November 10, 2012

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered a manhunt for the suspected leader of a “double-your-money” scam that reportedly victimized more than 10,000 people in Mindanao.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas was in Cebu yesterday to coordinate with Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Marcelo Garbo and PRO 7 Deputy Director for Operations Supt. Louie Oppus for the possible arrest of Manuel Amalilio, owner of Aman Futures Trading.

Amalilio is reportedly a resident of Cebu City.

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Roxas was in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur where Amalilio allegedly duped some 10,000 residents out of billions of pesos in money placements.

Other victims

Roxas said Amalilio also tricked residents of other parts of Mindanao, including those in Marawi City and Lanao del Norte.

Amalilio might have also victimized Cebuanos, he added.

He took the hard-earned money that retirees, teachers, police, farmers, and even pastors supposedly invested in his company, said Roxas.

In a news conference last night, Roxas said Amalilio registered Cebu City as one of his addresses. He is said to be living in B. Rodriguez Extension in Barangay Guadalupe.

Roxas said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was able to verify the address.

Malaysia connection

But Amalilio has been reportedly seen in Malaysia. Amalilio is reportedly a Filipino of Malaysian descent.

He said he hopes that with the help of the local police, authorities will be able to catch Amalilio.

“Itong malawak na financial pyramiding scam ay isang masagwa, pangit at napakasamang gawain. Gagawin natin ang lahat para mahuli yung mga perpetrators (This is pyramiding scam is ugly. Let us do everything to arrest the perpetrators),” he added.

Amalilio, Roxas said, did not operate alone.

Roxas said Amalilio and his incorporators invited people to invest in Aman and get high returns of at least 30 percent. The cash transactions did not go through banks.

This is why, Roxas said there is no assurance that the money taken by Amalilio will be recovered. “It’s hard to the monitor cash movement,” he added.

Aside from PNP and NBI, Roxas said they have also tapped the help of the Department of Justice and the International Police (Interpol) in the investigation and hunt for Amalilio.

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Changes in government service..........worth applauding

Several days ago, I traveled to Tacloban City to get an National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and National Statistics Office (NSO) clearance as a requirement to the renewal of my Real Estate Broker license now under the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) as per RA 9646 effective August 6, 2010. All Real Estate Brokers, Assessors, Appraisers, and Consultants together with real estate agents are being required to renew their licenses now under the auspices of the PRC.

When I arrived at around 10:00 AM on August 18, 2010 at  the NBI offices at Tacloban City, I was adamant to get started in my purpose. I was overwhelmed by the number of people waiting at the area assigned them, because I'm thinking that I might not be able to finish what is required of me. But alas, to my surprise it took me less than an hour to get my NBI clearance and off I go to the NSO office to get my authenticated birth certificate.

Before going to the NSO office in  another part of Tacloban City, I decided to eat first since it was already 10:45 AM and since I'm already at downtown of the said city I entered Chowking restaurant and ordered a fish lauriat which I devoured heartily, after which I rode a multicab going to the NSO office.

Looking for the NSO office is not a problem because people would gladly tell where it is, but the problem lies in the people that will bring you to the place, since it is not along the major route of public utility vehicles plying different or major routes. But luckily I was able to find the place without a hitch.

Upon arrival at the said office I was again overwhelmed by the number of people waiting. It was almost triple the number of people at the NBI offices. So I decided immediately of just returning a day later because the last trip to Palompon, Leyte is 2:30 PM through PACCI liner. As I was on the verge of living I happen to see an announcement plastered in a window saying that a special lane is available for senior citizens.

I immediately get a form and fill it up with the necessary data and submit it to the same window and wait at a chair reserve for waiting customers. After an hour of waiting my name was called and thanks God, I received the certificate with joy as I didn't expect the result of my request to be this fast, There is really a big difference several years ago when it will take you a week to get the same thing.

 While going out, I was happy when somebody (a tricycle driver) picked me up to bring me the the New Bus Terminal at Baranggay Abucay, Tacloban City for my trip home, but to my surprise he asked me to pay P40 pesos as fare, which to my belief is to big for a short trip. To avoid trouble I just give the driver P30 pesos and that settled it. On the way home I was so happy thinking that I was able to finish two clearances coming from two government institution in one day. And that's a whole good day.