DPWH MIMAROPA engineer linked to flood control mess arrested in QC

Authorities on Sunday arrested in Quezon City an engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways-MIMAROPA linked to an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

DPWH MIMAROPA engineer Dennis Abagon was among the personalities issued a warrant of arrest by the Sandiganbayan in connection with a complaint of malversation of public funds.

Abagon was an officer-in-charge of different divisions in DPWH-MIMAROPA, according to a report of GMA Integrated News' John Consulta.

Authorities conducted two days of surveillance before Abagon was arrested, along with two other people, who were nabbed due to alleged obstruction of justice.

The National Bureau of Investigation also recovered mobile phones and a SIM card, which were possibly used as a 'burner phone' and 'burner SIM,' allowing the accused to communicate while concealing his identity and location. 

Some of Abagon’s clothes and medicines were also recovered.

The engineer said he had planned to surrender, following the advice of his lawyer.

“Wala naman akong ginawang masama. Ginawa ko lang 'yung trabaho ko. Wala akong kinita (I did nothing wrong. I only did my job. I did not gain anything),” said Abagon, who worked in DPWH for 33 years. 

He added that he did not witness any transactions nor did he have any conversation with those in higher positions.

“Sana tulungan niyo rin kami na hindi lang biased sa amin. 'Yung fair na pagtingin sa tao kasi nagtatrabaho lang din kami,” Abagon said, denying allegations against him.

(We hope you can help us as well and not just be biased against us. We just want to be treated fairly, because we were just doing our jobs.)

Last Wednesday, the Sandiganbayan raffled off cases filed against former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co, DPWH MIMAROPA officials, and Sunwest Corporation directors in connection with a P289-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

In filing corruption and malversation charges with the Sandiganbayan, the Office of the Ombudsman also asked for the subsequent issuance of arrest warrants and hold departure orders against the accused.

Government prosecutors said that the P289-million non-existent flood control project built by Sunwest Corporation, a firm owned by Co's immediate family members, is substandard.

The P289-million flood control project is a road dike along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. It was funded under the 2024 national budget of the DPWH. 

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, during his visit last September in Oriental Mindoro, failed to locate the said project as well as two other flood control projects. 

“Guniguni. Wala akong proyektong nakikita dito. Baka merong may third eye sa inyo na may nakikitang flood control dito,” he said. 

(Fantasies. I don't see any projects here. Maybe somebody here has a third eye who will be able to sense the flood control projects.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/KG, GMA Integrated News