The Department of the Interior and Local Government reported on Monday that seven arrested suspects linked to the multi-million peso flood control anomaly are now under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Four months after the issue first surfaced, Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the arrest of more high profile personalities is expected within the next five weeks.
Speaking to the media, Secretary Remulla assured the public that the suspects, most of whom are officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in MIMAROPA, will not receive special privileges and will be kept safe while detained. He said they will follow the same rules and gain the same access to services available to all persons deprived of liberty.
“Big fish are coming soon. We should expect the Discayas, senators, congressman in the next five weeks sunod-sunod na sila. Walang La Catedral dito, i-treat sila kagaya ng mga karamihan,” he said (Big fish are coming soon. We should expect the Discayas, senators, and congressman in the next five weeks one after another. There will be no special treatment here, they will be treated like everyone else).
Six of the arrested suspects, identified as Gerald Pacanan, Gene Ryan Altea, Ruben delos Santos Jr, Dominic Serrano, Felisardo Casuno, Juliet Calvo, and Engr. Dennis Abagon, have been placed at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas. One female suspect, Lerma Cayco, is detained at the Camp Caringal Female Dormitory. All seven will face trial for plunder, violations of the anti-graft law, and indirect bribery before the Sixth and Seventh Divisions of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Another suspect was allowed to post bail for falsification of documents and will face trial before the Fifth Division of the Office of the Ombudsman.
For suspects who have fled abroad and remain at large in the United States and Qatar, Remulla said they have until Thursday to surrender to the nearest Philippine embassy. “We have copies of their passports, mahahanap namin sila kahit saan sila magpunta,” he said (We have copies of their passports, we will find them wherever they go).
He said efforts to locate alleged flood control mastermind and former Ako Bicol Congressman Zaldy Co have been difficult due to his possession of two passports. Remulla urged him to return and face charges. “Umuwi ka na, kailangan mo managot sa batas,” he said (Return now, you need to face the law).
One of the arrested suspects was apprehended inside the residence of a Mindoro vice mayor. Remulla said the official, including household members and staff, will undergo investigation and may face charges for obstruction of justice.
He also urged the public not to shelter fugitives. “Huwag n'yo na po tulungan ang mga nagtatago. Kung mahal n'yo sila, mahalin ninyo ang inyong mga sarili,” he added (Do not help those who are hiding. If you love them, love yourself more).
BJMP Jail Director Ruel Rivera said the six detained suspects will be held in the same room and will receive the same meals and drinking water as the rest of the jail population. He noted that they will have access to 24-hour in house medical services and said the food allocation has increased from 70 pesos to 100 pesos per PDL per day.
Family visits are allowed for two to five members at a time in designated areas. Visitors may bring cooked food subject to inspection between 1 pm and 5 pm, except on Mondays and Fridays.
The New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory Building A remains at 80 percent occupancy with 14 vacant cells, each capable of holding up to 10 PDLs. Building B has zero occupancy and can house up to 3,000 PDLs.