PNP to provide security in flood control project Inspections

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is ready to provide security to personnel conducting inspections in alleged anomalous flood control projects set to be done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

"Sa security side lang kami. Wala kaming alam sa forensic infrastructure pero marami kasing threat sa mga tao, so kasama kami sa mga tumutulong,” said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

(We are only on the security side. We don't know anything about forensic infrastructure, but there are so many threats to the people. That's why we are here to help.)

Remulla also emphasized that PNP's presence is "essential due to credible security threats surrounding the inspection activities."

“Yes, andoon sila. Round-the-clock kasi delikado talaga buhay nila (DPWH personnel) roon eh," he said.

(They are there round-the-clock because their lives are really in danger.)

On Friday, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said that assistance from the police and military is needed, as the agency cannot handle the inspections of thousands of projects.

“Libo-libo po talaga ang proyekto ng DPWH. At kung sa loob ng DPWH, hindi natin kakayanin yan kaya kailangan talaga unang-una humingi tayo ng tulong sa PNP, sa AFP,” Dizon said. 

(There are literally thousands of DPWH projects. In DPWH alone, we cannot handle that, so we really need to first ask for help from the PNP and the AFP.)

According to Dizon, a new DPWH team has been deployed to inspect the over 100 reported anomalous projects across the country.

Next week, Dizon said he will join Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong in the inspections of questionable projects in his city as well as in La Union.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has called for an investigation into anomalous flood control projects. Several government agencies, as well as the Senate and the House of Representatives, have launched their respective investigations. —VAL, GMA Integrated News