Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. on Sunday recognized the role of police personnel in the investigation conducted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
As the ICI prepares to conclude its operations on March 31, Nartatez said the technical and security support provided by the PNP helped uncover irregularities.
The ICI was created through an executive order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to investigate allegations of corruption and substandard infrastructure projects that have long plagued the country.
“I commend the significant role of our personnel in the efforts to ferret out the truth in the interest of transparency and accountability. This was our commitment at the start of the investigation, and we were able to deliver,” Nartatez said.
Units that assisted in the probe included the PNP Engineering Service, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the Forensic Group, and the Information Technology and Management Service.
The PNP’s participation in the investigation was limited to technical verification and forensic validation of gathered information.
Police personnel also provided security for teams inspecting government infrastructure projects.
The Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management coordinated the activities of the four units to ensure full support for the independent body.
Nartatez said the PNP remains ready to assist in filing cases and tracking individuals involved in the alleged anomalous projects.
“The PNP remains ready to continue assisting in the filing of cases and prosecution of individuals involved in anomalous projects,” he said.
The commission turned over all documents related to the investigation to the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, March 13, marking a key step toward holding those implicated accountable.
