ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co and his residents were jubilant over the arrest of Emmanuel Amalilio, owner of the Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc. involved in the P12-billion investment scam in Mindanao.
Co said they were still hoping that they would be able to get their money back, which they invested on Amalilio's company.
“We are happy with his arrest and we are hoping na mabalik ang pera namin at ng mga taong naloko nitong scam,†Co said.
The mayor said that they are hoping the Aman Futures boss will be deported the soonest possible time to face trial and pay back the people he duped.
Justice secretary Leila de Lima announced on Wednesday that Malaysian authorities arrested Amalilio in Kota Kinabalu for possession of a fraudulent passport.
The Pagadian mayor urged all residents of the city who have been victimized to surface and help in building up the case against the Aman Futures.
An active member of the media based in Pagadian City and his wife, who asked not to be named, said the arrest of Amalilio spread like wild fire in the city.
“Everybody have been waiting for his deportation and hoping the possible return of their money,†the broadcaster said.
A senior police official who was among the victims of the investment scam doubted if the money taken from them by the Aman Futures will be recovered.
“From the very start I already anticipated that such investment is like gambling so I doubt if I will be able to recover my money,†the police official said.
Co, however, believes Amalilio's possessed properties that can be confiscated by the government can be used to indemnify the victims of the scam.