DoJ ‘powerless’ to stop pyramid scam suspects from leaving PH—De Lima

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima admitted the Department of Justice (DoJ) is “powerless” to stop suspects of a P12 billion pyramid scam from leaving the country.

De Lima said she already issued a lookout order for the Bureau of Immigration to monitor the movements of other officials of Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc. who remained in the country.

“We are powerless now to prevent them,” De Lima said at a press conference Thursday.

“But we have issued a lookout order to monitor the movements of the other officials (in case they will attempt leave the country),” she said.

Since 2011, the DoJ has been prevented from issuing hold departure orders to bar those accused in court from leaving the country without an order from a presiding judge.

Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc., allegedly managed by a former janitor and driver, has duped at least 15,000 people in Mindanao and the Visayas.