It will be a long wait before Amalilio is deported

MANUEL AMALILIO Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines – Victims of Aman Future pyramiding scheme need to wait 15 months before Aman Founder Manuel Amalilio returns to the country but Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said the Philippine government is working for a shorter period.

Amalilio was convicted by a Malaysian court and was sentenced to two-year imprisonment for securing a fake Philippine passport.

Last week, the Department of Justice has sent a high level delegation of officials led by Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar and held talks with Federation Malaysia Attorney General Tan Sri Gani Patail.

De Lima said initial talks with their counterpart showed that Amalilio can be extradited after spending 15 months in prison instead of the penalty of two years.

“I think we can still work on a shorter period,” De Lima said.

Meanwhile, De Lima said they will form a panel of prosecutors and state counsels who will coordinate with the Malaysian government to expedite Amalilio’s extradition.

“In line with the advice you conveyed to our representatives, I am now putting together a panel of prosecutors and state counsels who shall soon visit you for the discussion on how our two governments can push a possible extradition process forward,” Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said in her letter to Federation of Malaysia Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail dated Feb. 11, 2013.

De Lima thanked Patail for coordinating with them and giving assurance that the Malaysian government will assist the Philippines in sending Amalilio back to Manila.

“Your initiative has gone a long way in keeping the hopes alive for the victims of Amalilio’s alleged criminal acts committed in our country,” De Lima said.