‘Floodgate’ suspects waving white flag

Some of the eight remaining suspects in the flood control scam, now believed to be overseas, have begun sending surrender feelers through Philippine embassies, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Lito Magno said on Tuesday.

Authorities have since expanded their operations to ensure that all fugitives are taken into custody. Magno said three of the suspects abroad have already established contact with Philippine embassies in the countries where they are.

“Like what Sec. Jonvic Remulla has said there are surrender feelers from those who are abroad. The three are coordinating with the Philippine embassy of the country they are currently in,” Magno said.

They can be fetched

Magno said the fugitives can voluntarily come home or they can ask to be fetched by government law enforcers.

He added that the authorities are aware of possible threats to the fugitives’ safety, which should be factored into their hesitation to return.

“We do not dismiss such concerns. The government is prepared for whatever course of action they may choose upon their return,” he said.

Also, Magno confirmed that former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, one of the central figures in the case, was last tracked in Japan, based on information from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

“We are monitoring his movements,” Magno said, adding that the NBI has requested an Interpol Red Notice for Co, which would alert law enforcement authorities in all member countries.

“Practically, this is like asking for help from the host country…as they can be arrested. He can also surrender or can be fetched,” Magno said.

NBI and CIDG teams earlier went to a residence in Valle Verde, Pasig, where individuals identifying themselves as Co’s lawyers allowed agents to inspect the property.

Magno assured that once Co is located, the authorities will secure his safe return.

For the four suspects believed to still be in the Philippines, Magno said the Interior Secretary has given them until Thursday to surrender voluntarily.  

“They were given up to Thursday to surrender. The NBI continues to coordinate closely with other law enforcement agencies as operations intensify to account for all the individuals linked to the alleged anomalous flood control projects,” said Magno.

Big fish soon?

Remulla is confident that in the next few weeks, high profile personalities will follow the seven arrested suspects linked to the multi-million-peso flood control anomalies who are now under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. 

“Big fish are coming soon. We should expect the Discayas, senators and congressmen in the next five weeks. They’re coming one after another. There is no ‘La Catedral’ here — they will be treated like everyone else,” Remulla said.

Remulla assured the public that the arrested individuals, mostly officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Mimaropa Region, will receive 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.

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. The BJMP food allocation has been 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. Visitors may bring cooked food, subject to inspection, from 1 to 5 p.m. daily except Monday and Friday.

The New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory Building A is at 80-percent occupancy, with 14 vacant cells. Each cell can hold up to 10 PDLs. Building B rises at zero occupancy. Each building can house up to 3,000 PDLs.