Suspect in ‘pyramid’ scam arraigned

Another co-accused in the multimillion peso pyramid investment scam was arraigned at a court in Cagayan de Oro City yesterday, April 20.

Sultan Yahya ‘Jerry’ Tomawis pleaded not guilty to syndicated estafa charges, a non-bailable offense.

Tomawis is the father-in-law of suspected scam leader Jachob “Coco” Rasuman who is now detained at a detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila.

Acting Regional State Prosecutor Merlynn Uy said Tomawis was arrested some time in January, this year, together with his daughter, Princess, Rasuman’s wife who is also a co-accused in the case.

But the arraignment of the older Tomawis was delayed after he was placed under hospital arrest due to a heart-related illness.

Uy said it was the accused who requested to be arraigned.

The special panel of prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Manila came to the city for the scheduled arraignment.

“Finally the accused has been arraigned. He was arrested last January but was committed because he was in the hospital for several months, ”Uy said.

The Tomawis patriarch was brought to court in a hospital vehicle and was put on a wheel chair for his arraignment at the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Mastersons Avenue, this city.

Uy said the court already ordered to have Tomawis transferred in a detention facility, most likely at the Cagayan de Oro City Jail.

“There is a standing order to commit him to a detention facility,” Uy said.

A supposed victim of the scam who was at the arraignment told the media that they want all the accused behind bars.

He said he invested P30 million through Rasuman’s agent after he was promised huge returns.

He said they are convinced that Tomawis had direct participation in the scheme because he knew of the transaction.

“Sampu kami sa grupo ko ang total is P500 million. Sa akin is P30 million ang na-invest. Kumbinsido kami na may conspiracy sa investment scam na ito (We were 10 in the group and together we put up P500 million. My investment was P30 million. We are convinced there was a conspiracy),”he said.

Uy said the next proceeding is set on August 3.

The regional state prosecutor assured that security will remain tight to avoid trouble between the complainants and the family of the accused.