PBBM urges flood control suspects to surrender

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Monday that seven individuals allegedly linked to irregularities in flood control projects are now in government custody.

In a Facebook video, he said one suspect was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), while six others voluntarily surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“Wala pong special treatment ang mga ito. Mananatili sila sa kustodiya ng NBI habang inaantay ang utos ng korte,” he said.

He urged the remaining wanted individuals, as well as anyone hiding or helping them, to surrender to authorities and present their side as accused.

Earlier Monday, Malacañang released the mugshots of six suspects involved in the alleged anomalous flood-control projects. The Presidential Communications Office posted photos of Department of Public Works and Highways officials Gerald Pacanan, Gene Ryan Altea, Ruben Santos, Dominic Serrano, Juliet Calvo, and project engineer Felisardo Casuno on Facebook.

On the same day, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, led by Secretary Jonvic Remulla, released photos of eight charged individuals now in government custody: Gerald Pacanan, Gene Ryan Altea, Ruben Santos, Dominic Serrano, Felisardo Casuno, Juliet Calvo, Lerma Cayco, and Dennis Abagon.

Remulla also identified fugitives at large and their last known locations: Zaldy Co (location unknown); Derma Alzazar, believed to be in New Zealand; Cesar Bueventura, reportedly in New York—both from Sunwest; and Montrexis Tamayo of the DPWH Planning and Design Division, thought to be in Jordan. Authorities said they have contacted all of the individuals except Co, who are expected to report to Philippine embassies to begin immediate repatriation.