President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday said seven individuals linked to flood control projects anomalies are now under the custody of authorities. He urged others with arrest warrants to surrender.

"Pito na po sa mga indibidwal na may warrant of arrest sa Sandiganbayan kaugnay sa mga flood control anomalya ang nasa kustodiya na ng ating mga awtoridad," Marcos said in a video statement posted on his Facebook page.

(Seven of those who have warrants of arrest before the Sandiganbayan are already placed under police custody.)

''Isa naman sa kanila na inaresto ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigaton), at anim naman ay boluntaryong sumuko sa CIDG. Mayroon ding dalawang akusado po na nagpahayag na ng intensyon na sumuko at susundin na ang PNP-CIDG," he said.

(One of them was nabbed by NBI personnel while six voluntarily surrendered before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Two accused have also sent feelers to surrender.)

''‘Yung isa pong nahuli ng NBI eh natagpuan doon – hindi sa kanyang sariling tahanan, kaya’t mananagot din ‘yung mga nagtatago sa kanila,'' Marcos said.

(One who was arrested by the NBI was found not in his own residence so those who are coddling them would also be held liable under the law.)

Marcos was referring to Department of Public Works and Highways-MIMAROPA engineer Dennis Abagon who was arrested Sunday in a house in Quezon City. Two others were nabbed for alleged obstruction of justice.

Surrender

The President, meanwhile, said those who plan to help the accused should instead encourage them to surrender to authorities.

'Yung mga may balak na tulungan itong mga ito ay pinakamalaking tulong na ibigay ninyo sa kanila ay mag-surrender na sila at para makasagot na sila dito sa mga alegasyon na hinaharap nila,'' Marcos said.

(To those who plan to help these accused individuals, the help you could give them is to urge them to surrender so they can answer the allegations against them.)

No one will be given special treatment, Marcos added.

''Wala pong mga special treatment itong mga ito. Mananatili sila sa kustodiya ng NBI habang inaantay ang utos ng korte,'' Marcos said.

(There's no special treatment for these individuals. They will remain under the custody of the NBI while waiting for court orders.)

Two about to surrender

Marcos said of the 16 individuals with arrest warrants, seven are already in police custody. Two others will surrender.

Seven others, including former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co, remain at large.

''Muli, sa tatlong warrant at labing-anim na pangalan, pito na ang hawak ng ating awtoridad, dalawa susuko na,'' Marcos said.

(Of the three warrants and 16 names, seven are under the custody of authorities while two others are about to surrender.) 

''Pito ang mananatiling at large at kasama na diyan si Zaldy Co,'' he added.

(Seven are at large, including Zaldy Co.)

Marcos vowed that the process will continue.

"Tuloy-tuloy po ito. Hindi kami titigil. Hindi kami hihinto," he said.

(This process is ongoing. We will not stop. We will not stop.)

Last Friday, Marcos said arrest warrants have been issued against Co and 17 others including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directors of Sunwest Corp. over supposed anomalous flood control projects. 

Taguig City Police on Saturday served the arrest warrant against Co in his condominium residence at Bonifacio Global City but he was not there. 

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said Co was last located in Japan. Remulla gave Co until Monday to surrender. 

On November 18, the Ombudsman filed before 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 Marcos first flagged during his fourth State of the Nation Address in July.

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 Office of the Ombudsman welcomes the issuance of warrants of arrest against Zaldy Co and the 17 other accused in the corruption cases filed before the Sandiganbayan last Tuesday," the Ombudsman said in a statement.

"To the law enforcement agencies whose responsibility it is to effect the arrests—execute the warrants without delay. Ensure their immediate arrest and bring them before the bar of justice," it added.

(with reports from Joviland Rita and Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA Integrated News)