Aman suspect’s wife nabbed despite new face

MANILA, Philippines - A noselift and other cosmetic enhancements did not save a suspect in the multibillion-peso pyramid scam from arrest.

Abigail Pendulas, 26, wife of accused swindler Manuel Amalilio, was nabbed by police while she was attending a party in San Fernando, Pampanga last Friday.

Pendulas is a co-accused in the pyramid scam that defrauded 15,000 people in the Visayas and Mindanao of an estimated P12 billion.

Speaking to reporters, Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta said police were able to identify Pendulas despite her having changed her appearance through surgery and a noselift.

“She apparently thought she would be safe with her new looks after cosmetic surgery,” he said. “She had a noselift so her looks changed a little bit.”

Pendulas was surprised when arresting officers recognized her as a wanted person involved in the multibillion-peso pyramiding scam, he added.

Petrasanta said Pendulas was arrested for syndicated estafa on the strength of an alias warrant issued by Judge Alberto Quinto of the Regional Trial Court 12th Judicial Region Branch 1, Iligan City.

Police were able to trace Pendulas through an informant, he added.

Petrasanta said Pendulas was using the name Assian de Guzman and carrying a fake Bureau of Internal Revenue identification card.

The only authentic ID in her possession was her passport, he added.