CA freezes money laundering suspect’s bank accounts

MANILA, Philippines—The Court of Appeals has extended the freeze order on the bank accounts of a Filipino medical supplier allegedly involved in wire fraud and money laundering in Guam.

The appeals court in a four-page resolution ordered the freezing of the six bank accounts of Rosalito Ramos Nucum at Metrobank until April 8.

Nucum has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on five counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering stemming from the alleged scheme to defraud the Chuuk State Government and the United States by taking payments for medical supplies which he never delivered.

The US government asked the assistance of the Philippines in the investigation of Nucum, Lindley and several others. The two countries have signed a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

The appeals court, through Associate Justice Elihu Ybañez of the court’s former special second division, the freeze order has been extended to ensure the funds would not be “removed, transferred, concealed.”

The appeals court ordered Metro Bank to submit” within 24 hours from notice under pain of contempt a manifestation or compliance identifying the source account of the outward remittances and if necessary to freeze the same.”