DFA: PH embassies ready to assist if flood control suspects surrender overseas

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it is prepared to assist should any of the suspects linked to the flood control scandal choose to surrender while they are abroad.

The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in New Zealand, the Philippine Embassy in Jordan, the Philippine Consulate General in New York, and other foreign service post, are on standby for possible coordination once ordered by Philippine authorities.

“Our Foreign Service Posts are ready to assist as mandated by Philippine authorities,” DFA spokesperson Ambassador Angelica Caraos Escalona said in a statement sent to GMA Integrated News.

This was after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that several individuals allegedly involved in the flood control controversy are at large and are currently outside of the Philippines.

Among those charged and ordered arrested was former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who was last reported to be in Japan.

Co and 15 others are facing charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and for malversation of public funds.

Citing information from the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP), authorities said Aderma Angelie Alcazar, president and chairperson of the board of Sunwest Construction, was last monitored in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Sunwest treasurer and board member Cesar Buenaventura is reportedly in New York, while Montrexis Tamayo, officer-in-charge of the DPWH Planning and Design Division, is said to be in Jordan.

The cases stemmed from an allegedly substandard P289-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said seven of the 16 individuals ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan are now in the government’s custody. He also reiterated his call for others to turn themselves in.

Six of the arrested accused are now detained at the Quezon City Jail while one was able to post bail. — JMA, GMA Integrated News