Suspects in P700-M investment scam ordered included in lookout notice

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the Bureau of Immigration to include the suspects in the P700-million investment scam in Parañaque City in its Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO).

In a Memorandum dated August 10, de Lima ordered the inclusion of Mary Angelaine Libanan Martirez and Mark Anthony Martirez in the ILBO.

De Lima issued the ILBO following the request of the City Prosecutor’s Office in Parañaque. Citing the police arrest as illegal, the Paranaque City Prosecutor’s Office ordered recently the release of Mary Angelaine Martirez, the principal suspect in the alleged investment scam in the city.

Some 30 individuals, mostly businessmen, filed a complaint against the two for allegedly collecting millions from them.

To entice investors, the suspects claimed they have political connection and the money that will invest will finance local government projects.

They made grand promises but failed to deliver a 20-percent return of investment.

In the lookout bulletin, de Lima ordered the prosecutors to expedite the resolution of the case.

“If it should be found that there is probable cause to criminally charge them in court, to immediately file the case and obtain warrant for their arrest,” the order stated.

De Lima also instructed the prosecutors to keep the Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration updated on the status of the case against the two.

She added that prosecutors should be available even after office hours “considering that attempts to leave may take place anytime.”