Pagadian mayor ordered arrested over Aman Future's scam

MANILA, Philippines - A local court in Iligan City has ordered the arrest of Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co in connection with the P12-billion investment scam involving the Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc.

Virgilio Mendez, deputy director for regional services of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), said that the warrant of arrest was issued on Thursday by Judge Alberto Quinto of the Iligan City Regional Trial Court Branch 1.

Mendez said that NBI operatives attempted to serve the arrest warrant on Co, but they failed to locate the mayor.

Several victims of the multi-billion investment scam included Co in their complaints against Aman Futures officials including its owner, Emmanuel Amalilio and wife Abigail Pendulas.

Amalilio has been arrested and currently detained in Sabah for using a fake passport. The Philippines is working for Amalilio's extradition.

Co had denied allegations that he acted as Aman Future's agent and that he aided the group in its operations last year. He accused his political rival, Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Antonio Cerilles, of instigating the case to destroy his reputation as head of the ruling Liberal Party in the province.

A special panel of the Department of Justice, however, said preliminary investigation showed that Co “acted not merely as an investor but also as an agent of Aman.”

Investigating fiscals cited a certification issued by Aman last August declaring Co as an “authorized agent” and his offer of a municipal government-owned building for rent to Aman.