PNP intensifies hunt vs 7 at-large accused in Mindoro flood control mess

The Philippine National Police has intensified its hunt on the seven at-large accused in flood control mess in Oriental Mindoro, including former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

In a statement on Thursday, the PNP said Acting Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police units to intensify its efforts for the surrender and capture of the accused.

“With the way the operations are being carried out now, we in the PNP are confident that all the remaining accused in this case will be accounted for. This is part of the PNP’s commitment to truth and accountability in relation to this case,” Nartatez said.

On Tuesday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) arrested DPWH-Mimaropa’s Planning and Design Division officer-in-charge Engineer Montrexis Tamayo at NAIA Terminal 3 upon returning from United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A total of nine of the 16 accused with arrest warrants are now under custody. 

Other accused who are yet to surrender or be arrested are: 

• Resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who is also former House appropriations panel chairperson
• Timojen Sacar, DPWH materials engineer
• Aderman Alcazar, president and board chair, Sunwest Construction
• Cesar Buenaventura, treasurer and board member, Sunwest Construction
• Consuelo Aldon, board member, Sunwest Construction
• Engr. Noel Yap Cao, board member, Sunwest Construction
• Anthony Ngo, board member, Sunwest Construction

On November 18, the Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others. The charges were in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. 

These were the first lodged against those allegedly involved in the flood control kickback scheme that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. first flagged during his fourth State of the Nation Address in July.

On November 21, Marcos announced that warrants of arrest have been issued against the accused.—AOL, GMA Integrated News