'Sa mga natitira, sumuko na kayo': 7 flood control corruption suspects now in custody, says Marcos
Seven individuals with alleged involvement in irregularities in flood control projects are now in the custody of authorities, according to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
In a video published on Monday, Nov. 24, Marcos said, "Isa sa kanila ay inaresto ng NBI at anim naman ay boluntaryong sumuko sa CIDG."
"Mayroon ding dalawang akusado po na nagpahayag na ng intensyon na sumuko at susundin na ang PNP-CIDG," he added.
He assured the public that the suspects will be given no special treatment. "Mananatili sila sa kustodyo ng NBI habang inaantay ang utos ng korte."
Seven accused remain at large, including former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
"Sa lahat ng natitirang akusado, ang aking payo sa inyo ay sumuko na kayo. 'Wag niyo na antayin na habul-habulin pa kayo. Mas maganda para sa sitwasyon ninyo na sumuko na kayo para maganda ang inyong pagsagot sa mga alegasyon na dinala kontra sa inyo," the President said. "Sa mga nagtatangkang tumulong sa pagtatago, tandaan ninyo na kahit papaano, mananagot din kayo kung kayo ay nagtatago ng isang fugitive ng justice."
"Tuloy-tuloy po ito. Hindi kami titigil—hindi kami hihinto," Marcos continued.
This update comes a few days after Marcos announced that an arrest warrant had been issued against Co and 17 others in connection with the flood control mess.
On Nov. 21, the country's Chief Executive shared the development in the case, noting that the move was based on evidence laid out by the ICI and the DPWH. "Hindi po ito haka-haka. Hindi po ito kwento. Ito po ay tunay na ebidensya," he stressed.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation cases against Co as well as several officials of the DPWH and Sunwest Inc. on Nov. 18 in connection with anomalies in a P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. The charges involved malversation of public funds through the falsification of public documents, violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and a co-violation of Section 3(h) of RA 3019.
Hearings at the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the ICI have revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption.
Marcos assured the public on Nov. 13 that there will be no happy holidays for officials involved as he vowed jail time for them before the year ends.
“Tapos na ang maliligaya ninyong araw,” he said. “Hahabulin namin kayo.”
“Bago mag-Pasko, marami dito sa napangalanan dito, palagay ko matatapos na ang kaso nila, buo na ‘yung kaso. Makukulong na sila, wala silang Merry Christmas," he added.
