Metro Manila, Philippines – Seven people facing graft and malversation charges in connection to an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro have been detained, marking the first batch of suspects behind bars in the multibillion-peso fund scam.
In a press briefing on Monday, Nov. 24, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said six male accused were brought to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, while one female was detained at Camp Caringal.
Authorities have yet to detain one of the eight accused under government custody.
Remulla said the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology secured a commitment order from the Sandiganbayan on Monday.
The detained officials include Gerald Pacanan – former regional director of Department of Public Works and Highways Mimaropa, the highest official facing graft and malversation charges – over a P290-million substandard road dike in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The arrest list includes the following as well:
- Gene Ryan Altea Allurin – assistant regional director;
- Ruben Santos Jr. – assistant regional director;
- Dominic G. Serrano – chief, construction division;
- Felisardo Casuno Sevare – project engineer III;
- Juliet Calvo Cabungan – chief maintenance division;
- Lerma Cayco – accountant IV; and
- Dennis Abagon – OIC chief of quality assurance and hydrology division.
The National Bureau of Investigation said it is also probing ties of Abagon with the vice mayor of Bansud, Oriental Mindoro after the DPWH official was arrested in a property in Quezon City supposedly owned by the local official.
Earlier in the day, Calvo posted a P90,000 bail with the 5th division of the Sandiganbayan for her graft charge. She still faces a non-bailable malversation case, along with 15 other accused, including former House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co.
The Department of Interior and Local Government vowed no special treatment for the detainees, saying they are jailed with the general population.
Zaldy Co, others abroad
Meanwhile, the DILG said eight others remain at large, including Co.
Three others are also abroad:
- Aderma Angelie Alcazar, Sunwest Inc. president and board chairman (New Zealand);
- Cesar Buenaventura, Sunwest Inc. treasurer, (New York); and
- Montrexis Tamayo, DPWH OIC-Planning and Design Division chief (Jordan).
Remulla said the three are expected to coordinate with Philippine embassies for immediate repatriation.
He gave the rest of the accused until Thursday, Nov. 27. to surrender.
In the case of Co, he said the government is still tracking the whereabouts of the former lawmaker, who has been outside the country since the flood control mess blew up.
“We believe he is traveling with another passport. We don’t know if he is using another name,” said Remulla, noting that it is subject for verification.
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier said the arrest warrant may be the legal basis to cancel Co’s passport.
