DOJ team that will handle Aman Futures case bared

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Justice (DoJ) has already organized the body that will handle the extradition and forfeiture of assets of Aman Futures Founder Manuel Amalilio.

In Department Order 127 released to the public Tuesday, De Lima designated Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar to head the panel.

The panel’s other members include Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras III, State Counsels Mildred Bernadette Alvor and Maria Laureen Suan, and Prosecution Attorneys Mark Roland Estepa and Gail Stephanie Maderazo.

The team will fly to Malaysia on March 13 to 15 to initiate the necessary legal processes.

“In the interest of the service and pursuant to existing rules and regulations, the following individuals are constituted as the Team of DOJ officials and lawyers that is hereby designated and authorized to…work on legal matters and processes in connection with the Philippine Government’s request for assistance from the Malaysian Government, relative to the successful prosecution of the cases filed against Manuel Amalilio, a.k.a. Mohammad Kamal Bin Sa’id, including, but not limited to, effecting his speedy return to Philippine jurisdiction to face criminal charges filed against him, such as by the processing of the Philippine government’s request for his extradition,” the order stated.

The team is required to submit a post-event report within 5 days from their return to the Philippines.

Amalilio facing syndicated estafa charges for defrauding some 15,000 investors. He escaped and went to Malaysia where he was convicted for violating passport laws and sentenced to two years in prison.