The seven arrested suspects linked to a multi-million-peso flood control issue are now under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said on Monday.
Four months after the issue first surfaced, Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the arrest of more high-profile personalities is expected within the next five weeks.
Speaking to the media, Secretary Remulla assured the public that the arrested personalities, mostly officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in MIMAROPA, will have no special treatment and will be protected from harm while in detention.
They will receive the same services and be allowed the same activities as all other persons deprived of liberty.
“Big fish are coming soon. We should expect the Discayas, senators, congressmen in the next five weeks, sunod-sunod na sila. Walang La Catedral dito, i-treat sila kagaya ng mga karamihan,” he said.
Remulla stated that of the eight suspects who have been arrested, the six males are now at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas.
They are Gerald Pacanan, Gene Ryan Altea, Ruben delos Santos Jr, Dominic Serrano, Felisardo Casuno, Juliet Calvo, and Engr. 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.
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.
For the suspects who remain at large in the United States and Qatar, Secretary Remulla said they have until Thursday to surrender to the nearest Philippine embassy. “We have copies of their passports, mahahanap namin sila kahit saan sila magpunta,” he said.
The DILG Chief said locating the alleged flood control mastermind and former Ako Bicol Congressman Zaldy Co has been challenging because he holds two passports.
“Umuwi ka na, kailangan mo managot sa batas,” Remulla said, noting that PNP tracker teams have been deployed abroad after confirming his recent movements in the United States, Europe, Singapore, Spain, Portugal, and Japan.
According to Secretary Remulla, one suspect was arrested inside the residence of a Mindoro vice mayor. The public official, including household members and staff, will undergo investigation and may face charges for obstruction of justice.
He urged the public not to assist individuals who continue to evade arrest. “Huwag n’yo na po tulungan ang mga nagtatago. Kung mahal n’yo sila, mahalin ninyo ang inyong mga sarili,” Remulla added.
BJMP Jail Director Ruel Rivera said the six detained suspects will be placed together in one room.
They will receive the same food and water as all other PDLs and will have access to 24-hour in-house medical services, he added.
The BJMP food allocation has increased from P70 to P100 per PDL per day.
The BJMP allows two to five family members to visit the PDLs at a time in designated areas, Rivera noted.
Visitors may bring cooked food, subject to inspection from 1 to 5 p.m. daily except on Mondays and Fridays.
The New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory Building A remains at 80 percent occupancy and still has 14 vacant cells, each holding up to 10 PDLs.
Meanwhile, Building B remains at zero occupancy, but can also house up to 3,000 PDLs.
