Philippine National Police (PNP) tracker teams have been deployed abroad to locate alleged flood control mastermind and former Ako Bicol Congressman Zaldy Co, while respondents in the United States and Qatar have until November 27 to surrender to the nearest Philippine embassy, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla announced on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
He stressed that there will be no special treatment for all accused in the multi-million flood control case.
Most of those arrested are officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Mimaropa (Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan). Remulla said they will be given the same services and allowed the same activities as all other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
With the arrest of high-profile DPWH officials, Remulla noted that more individuals linked to the anomalies will be apprehended.
“Big fish are coming soon. We should expect the Discayas, senators, congressman in the next five weeks sunod-sunod na sila. Walang La Catedral dito, i-treat sila kagaya ng mga karamihan,” Remulla assured.
The six DPWH officials now languishing at the QCJMD are Gerald Pacanan, Gene Ryan Altea, Ruben delos Santos Jr., Dominic Serrano, Felisardo Casuno, Juliet Calvo, and Dennis Abagon.
“One female suspect, Lerma Cayco, is detained at the Camp Caringal Female Dormitory.
All seven will undergo trial for plunder, anti-graft violations, and indirect bribery before the Sixth and Seventh Divisions of the Office of the Ombudsman,’’ Remulla said.
“One suspect was allowed to post bail for falsification of documents and will undergo trial before the Fifth Division of the Office of the Ombudsman,’’ he added.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Director Ruel Rivera noted that the six detained suspects will be placed together in one room.
He said they will receive the same food and water as all other PDLs and have access to 24-hour in-house medical services.
“The BJMP food allocation has increased from 70 pesos to 100 pesos per PDL per day,’’ Rivera added.
Rivera explained that the BJMP allows two to five family members to visit the PDLs at a time in designated areas, with visitors allowed to bring cooked food subject to inspection from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Monday and Friday.
“The New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory Building A remains at 80 percent occupancy and still has 14 vacant cells. Each cell can hold up to 10 PDLs. Building B remains at zero occupancy. Each building can house up to 3,000 PDLs,’’ Rivera disclosed.
Remulla admitted that locating Co has been challenging because he holds two passports.
“Umuwi ka na, kailangan mo managot sa batas,” he said, adding that tracker teams confirmed Co’s recent movements in the United States, Europe, Singapore, Spain, Portugal, and Japan.
He also noted that one suspect was arrested inside the residence of a Mindoro vice mayor, with the public official, household members, and staff now subject to investigation and possible obstruction of justice charges.
With this development, Remulla reminded the public never to assist individuals who continue to evade arrest. (Chito Chavez)
