Seven more co-accused of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co have been arrested over the questionable P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
Along with Dennis Abagon, a member of the Bids and Awards Committee of Department of Public Works and Highways arrested over the weekend, also taken in custody were DPWH Mimaropa executives Gerald Pacanan (chief), Gene Ryan Altea (assistant regional director), Ruben Santos Jr. (assistant regional director), Dominic Serrano (construction division head), Felisardo Casuno (project engineer), Juliet Calvo (maintenance division head), and Lerma Cayco (accountant).
Of the eight suspects turned over to the Sandiganbayan for processing yesterday, only Calvo was allowed to post bail of P90,000 as she was only charged with graft, which is bailable.
The rest were charged with malversation, and the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division ordered no bail for the seven accused.
All eight of them are set to be arraigned on Dec. 2.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the six male suspects were turned over to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas while Cayco was brought to a detention facility inside Camp Karingal.
“Several of those with arrest warrants from the Sandiganbayan are now in the custody of authorities,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a video statement.
“There will be no special treatment,” Mr. Marcos added.
With eight others who remain at large, the President also warned individuals attempting to harbor fugitives they could be held criminally liable for obstructing justice.
“To all remaining accused, my advice is this: surrender now. Do not wait for authorities to hunt you down. Your situation will be better if you face the charges,” he said.
“This process will not stop,” the President added.
Aside from Co, authorities are still tracking down Co, Timojen Sacar (DPWH-Mimaropa material engineer), Montrexis Tamayo (DPWH-Mimaropa planning division OIC), Aderma Angelie Alcazar (Sunwest president), Cesar Buenaventura (Sunwest treasurer) and Sunwest board of directors’ members Consuelo Aldon, Noel Cao and Anthony Ngo.
“We have to make this clear that no matter where you are in the world, we will find you. If you are at large, we will find you. If you are hiding in the Philippines, we will find you,” Remulla said.
