Malaysia vows early turnover of Amalilio to Phl authorities

MANILA, Philippines - Malaysia assured the Philippine government yesterday that it is working for the early turnover to Filipino authorities of alleged investment scam ringleader Manuel Amalilio, who allegedly defrauded 15,000 investors from Mindanao and the Visayas of P12 billion.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman informed Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario that they are exerting efforts to turn over Amalilio, owner of Aman Futures Group Phil. Inc. who was earlier arrested in Kota Kinabalu.

“On the case of Manuel Amalilio, Foreign Minister Anifah informed the Secretary that he is strongly advocating the early turnover of Mr. Amalilio to the Philippine government,” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA added that Anifah also confirmed to the secretary the order of the Malaysian attorney general to freeze the assets of Amalilio in Malaysia.

The Malaysian government vowed to cooperate with the Philippines in efforts to return to Manila the fugitive investment scam leader.

The assurance was contained in a letter to The STAR from the Malaysian embassy’s first secretary Yap Wei Sin.

Amalilio, who also uses the Malaysian name Mohammad Suffan Saaid, was arrested by local authorities in Kota Kinabalu on Jan. 25 and was formally charged on Feb. 4 for possession of a fake passport.

He pleaded guilty to the offense and was sentenced to two years in jail in Malaysia.

Manila has invoked a mutual legal assistance treaty with Malaysia for Amalilio’s return to the Philippines.