The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed intelligence and tracker teams to locate Sarah Discaya and several others linked to an alleged “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental.
On Sunday, PNP acting chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said officers have been deployed to verify the whereabouts of everyone named in the charge sheet.
Nartatez said investigators are consolidating information on locations where the suspects may be hiding to ensure prompt service of warrants once issued by the court.
“We have mobilized a sufficient number of our personnel who will locate all those in the charge sheet. Right now, we are collating all the essential pieces of information on the areas where they may individually seek refuge to ensure a smooth and fast serving of the arrest warrant,” Nartatez stressed.
“All of our preparations are intended to make them feel that the only option left to them is to surrender,” he added.
The Ombudsman has recommended charges of malversation through falsification and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Discaya and other respondents.
To recall, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. instructed authorities to locate them ahead of the court’s decision on the warrants.
With this, Nartatez said the PNP has expanded coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Coast Guard, airport authorities, and local government units, particularly in areas where Discaya may have traveled or last been seen.
He added that barangay officials and community watch groups have also been alerted to report any relevant sightings or information.
Nartatez noted that such a police operation follows earlier arrests of at least nine individuals implicated in a separate flood control project case, which authorities say demonstrates continued efforts to track down suspects in corruption investigations.
“We encourage citizens—particularly those with direct knowledge or relevant information—to cooperate with authorities,” he urged the public.