Government authorities are on the hunt for Mark Steven Freeman, the man behind the controversial Ploutos Coins investment scheme, after an arrest warrant was issued by a local court last February 12.
Branch 39 of the Regional Trial Court issued the warrant of arrest against Freeman for large scale swindling charges.
The court did not allow Freeman to post bail.
Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police (Cocpo), said law enforcers are directed to execute the court order within 10 days upon receipt.
"I-serve ni sa iyang address pero kung dili siya makita within the said period ibalik ang warrant sa court ug posible mag issue ug alias warrant nga wala nay expiration," Hortillosa said.
"Mas maayo kun magpakita si Freeman ug iya na lang atubangon ang kaso niya," he added.
Lawyer Patricio Bernales, regional director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Northern Mindanao said they are still looking for the whereabouts of Freeman.
"Usa pa lang ka arrest warrant ang akong nakita," Bernales said.
The NBI-Northern Mindanao has been facilitating the filing of cases against Freeman after several investors sought help when he allegedly did not make good of his promised return of investments.
Freeman is the founder of Freedom Traders Club (FTC) that entices investors to put money in its virtual currency Ploutos Coins.
But, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has maintained that Freeman's FTC and Ploutos Coins do not hold the license and authority to solicit investments from the public.