Aman Futures exec denies Pagadian mayor's involvement in scam

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The head operator of the Aman Futures Group Phils., Inc. in Pagadian City, denied Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co's involvement in the P12-billion peso investment scam that duped 15,000 victims.

Co told reporters that his non-participation in the scam operation was contained in the affidavit filed by Fernando Luna alias Nonoy,  who surrendered to the authorities.

“At least with the latest, nagpakita si Fernando Luna, I have read his affidavit, pabor sa akin 'yon, okay 'yon. He mentioned there I have nothing to do with the Aman,” Co said, adding that he was one of the victimized investor.

He said he only invested and invited core family members and had never accepted outsiders.

“Of course I’m only an investor and everybody knows that. And if and when na may kasalanan ako sa Aman, granting for the sake of argument, being a third-term mayor running for the position of congressman ang laki-laki ng area mo, if and when kung totoo ang allegations n’ya would I ever think of running?” he added.

Co said Luna admitted that Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Antonio Cerilles had been meeting with him on plans to relocate the Aman office into the provincial government compound or in front of the municipality of Dumalinaw town where the latter’s son Ace Cerilles is the mayor.

“With that development I was bit relieved ng kaunti, the fact that (the information provided by Luna) puro sa kanila,” Co added.

Cerilles was not reachable for immediate comment.

Co said those who filed charges of syndicated estafa against him have also withdrawn their cases except for one complainant FO1 Fabian Tapaytan, Jr. whom he described as a known supporter of the Cerilleses.

The Pagadian chief executive said that the two former complainants alleged that it was Tapayan who reportedly convinced them to file with assurance they will be compensated.

Co said the cases filed to link him in the operation of the Aman Futures investment scam were all about politics.

“For so many years I have been with the Cerilles’s and I know their strategies. They will dump you with so many cases,” Co said of his former political ally.