Malaysian court frees Malaysia; PH extradition plea rejected

Manuel Amalilio. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines–The alleged mastermind of the P12 billion Aman Futures Philippines Group scam, Manuel Amalilio, has been released from prison in Malaysia and will not be extradited to the Philippines.

“The Malaysian government has declined the Philippine government’s request for the extradition of Manuel Amalilio,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message to reporters Tuesday evening.

“This report has been conveyed by the DFA to the Department of Justice and we are consulting with them on the matter,” he said.

The Borneo Post reported that Amalilio was ordered released by a court in Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah. At the same time, it denied a motion to extradite him to the Philippines.

Amalilio fled the Philippines shortly after his investment scam in Mindanao and the Visayas unraveled in October 2012, with authorities estimating he had duped some 15,000 people of their hard-earned money.

He fled to Sabah in November 2012 but was arrested by immigration authorities in January 2013 for possession of a fake Philippine passport.

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