DOJ to send team for Amalilio extradition

MANILA -- Two pairs of state counsels and prosecutors will be sent to Malaysia next week to work for the extradition and forfeiture proceedings against Aman Futures head Manuel Amalilio, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

Malaysian Attorney General Tan Sri Gani Patail earlier ordered the freezing of assets of the investment scam leader, including his company shares, stocks, and land assets.

"The supplemental request would include or contain additional particulars or facts or information from our end with respect to the freezing of assets," DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima said, adding the department’s delegation should try to recover the assets within a "particular period.”

The department has yet to get an estimate on Amalilio’s wealth stashed in Malaysia.

Last December, the Court of Appeals fourth division extended up to six months the freeze order on 25 bank accounts of Aman Futures Group Philippines Inc., as well as its related accounts and assets.

This was to prevent the executives of the trading firm, particularly Amalilio, from making substantial withdrawals from banks.

Amalilio has yet to face trial for syndicated estafa in a Pagadian court since he is currently serving a two-year jail term in Malaysia for possession of fake Philippine passport.

De Lima said, however, that the extradition process will help in ensuring that Amalilio can be brought back to the Philippines even before the court sentence is fully served. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)