NBI-Pagadian: Reprisal by some victims of investment scam possible

Citing the killing of a supposed agent of the investment fraud that allegedly victimized thousands of its investors, authorities on Friday expressed fears number of crimes and violent incidents may increase in Pagadian City. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Pagadian City agent Joey Moran said revenge by some of victims of the  multibillion-peso pyramiding scam is seen as the motive behind the murder of Anwar Zainal. In an interview on "News To Go," Moran said the body of Zainal was found along with receipts from the Aman Futures Group, the pyramiding firm that allegedly swindled at least 15,000 of its investors. Zainal was an officer of the Land Transportation Office-Pagadian, allegedly doubling as an agent of the Aman group, whose investors are mostly from Mindanao and the Visayas areas. Police on alert For his part, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, also in an interview also on "News To Go," said that among the steps taken to ensure peace and safety in Pagadian was to place the police on alert to thwart possible violent incidents. Roxas also cited the sacking of police officials in connection with the investment fraud allegedly owned by Manuel Amalilio, who is now being hunted by authorities. On Thursday, Zamboanga del Sur provincial director William Manzan and Pagadian City police chief Kenneth Mission were relieved from their posts, along with nine other police officers, for their failure to report or to look into the scam despite receiving orders to do so since April. A day after President Benigno Aquino III ordered authorities to pursue those behind the investment fraud, the Philippine National Police on Thursday began a crackdown on its personnel who may have been involved in the illegal activity. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the investigation will also look into whether police funds were invested with the Aman group. Meanwhile, Roxas warned the general public to be wary of any "quick-money" investment offer. “Para sa ating mga kababayan... talagang nakita naman po natin na delikado itong pagbibigay ng pera, pag-i-invest sa mga scheme, mga double-your-money, or matataas na interest,” Roxas said. “Kaya taos-puso po akong nananawagan na lagi pong mag-ingat lalong-lalo na sa ating mga savings,” he added. Region IX police officers have already gone to Pagadian to set up a special task force to handle possible cases of violence there, as well to process complaints from investor-victims. The investors are encouraged to file complaints against the Aman Futures Group with the Pagadian City police office, NBI-Pagadian, and the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Police Office. On the other hand, Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that as of Wednesday, there were already 8,000 complaints filed with the DOJ. — Gian C. Geronimo /LBG, GMA News