Authorities attempted to serve warrants of arrest against three board members of Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation linked to alleged irregularities in government flood-control projects.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–National Capital Region (CIDG–NCR) deployed more than 100 personnel in a sweeping search operation at a 10-storey hotel in Pasay City on Friday.

In an ambush interview, CIDG–NCR chief Col. John Guiagui said the operation was launched after investigators received information that wanted executives — Consuela Aldon, Anthony Ngo, and Noel Yap Cao — were allegedly being kept in the hotel and posing as employees. Sunwest is reportedly a subsidiary owner of the establishment.

“The serving of WOA [warrant of arrest] against three board of directors of Sunwest and unfortunately wala sila dito (they are not here). But based on the information we received yesterday, they have been hiding here and covering as one of the employees,” Guiagui told reporters in Filipino and English.

The CIDG, supported by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), cleared all 10 floors of the hotel, searching room by room, including the kitchen and housekeeping areas.

No police overkill

Guiagui defended the size of the deployment, calling it necessary for an orderly and thorough operation.

“Overkill? No, it is not overkill. There are 10 floors here. So we have to do it in an orderly manner so we can do it faster and we can cover all the 10 floors,” he said.

Despite the extensive sweep, authorities found no trace of the three fugitives.

The warrants stem from cases related to controversial flood-control projects involving 16 individuals. Guiagui said nine have already been accounted for, but none from Sunwest have been arrested.

He added that some of the suspects are believed to be abroad, but operations will continue both domestically and internationally.

“Hindi dito nagtatapos ang paghahanap namin. Rest assured, kahit yung nasa ibang bansa, tuloy-tuloy ang effort namin,” he said.

Guiagui urged Aldon, Ngo, and Cao to surrender immediately, warning that evasion will only escalate their legal troubles.

“It's better if they just surrender. You may be able to hide for a day or two, but in the long run, you will be found,” he said.

He specifically warned Anthony Ngo regarding his registered firearms, noting that the permits have already been canceled.

“Better if you turn over your firearms now. If not, we might even have to serve a search warrant on your house,” Guiagui cautioned.

Warning to protectors

The CIDG also issued a stern warning to anyone harboring the fugitives, citing a previous case where an associate of another suspect was charged for providing refuge.

“Anyone who is harboring them, it’s much better that you cooperate. If we find them under your control, we will file charges against you… We don’t want it to come to that,” Guiagui said.

He encouraged individuals with information to come forward, assuring confidentiality.

“The lines of CIDG and all law enforcement agencies are open for the information and we will treat all information as confidential whoever you are,” he added.

Guiagui said the search will extend to all Sunwest-related properties, including buildings, subdivisions, and residences, until all suspects are located.