Former Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co and her wife have been arrested Saturday afternoon after the surveillance operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NB), confirmed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

De Lima told ABS-CBN News that the surveillance was conducted by the NBI agent disguising as prospective buyer of the condominium in order to get in contact with Co and his wife. They were arrested before they can leave the place, de Lima said.

Now the arrested couple is in the custody of the NBI headquarters in Taft Avenue, Manila.

De Lima prohibits Co and his wife to present them at a press conference. Only they can take shots of the couple while in detention, she said.

The main reason why Co and wife was arrested because Co was involved to the alleged Aman Futures Investment Scam, in this case, NBI was searching for Co and wife after the Iligan regional trial court has issued a warrant of arrest against the couple.

Presently, the former Pagadian mayor is facing syndicate estafa charges.

In the official statement of the NBI said, “Founder of the Aman Futures Manuel Amalilio is still facing the capital crime and the government authorities still doing best to search and pursue after him in Malaysia.