MANILA: Three individuals accused of involvement in an anomalous Oriental Mindoro flood control project who are at-large are currently communicating with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for a possible surrender, CIDG Director Maj Gen Robert Alexander Morico II said.
Morico previously said two Sunwest Incorporated officials had sent surrender feelers to the CIDG, after police did not find them at a Pasay City hotel last Friday (Nov 28).
In an interview with reporters in Camp Crame on Tuesday, Morico said one more accused — who is abroad — has reached out to the police unit to surrender.
“There is an ongoing negotiation for their surrender,” Morico explained.
“But, the warrant of arrest, we will pursue. So, at the same time, we are conducting an investigation,” he added.
Morico, however, declined to identify the three accused.
The CIDG -National Capital Region previously identified the Sunwest Incorporated officials whom they attempted to serve arrest warrants for last Friday as company directors Consuelo Aldon, Noel Cao and Anthony Ngo.
Further, Morico earlier said Department of Public Works and Highways Mimaropa (DPWH 4B) materials engineer Timojen Sacar was abroad.
Former House appropriations chair and resigned Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co; Sunwest president Aderma Alcazar; and Sunwest treasurer Cesar Buenaventura are also abroad, according to Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla.
However, Remulla previously noted that Co has yet to reach out to the authorities at all.
All seven still at large are among 16 accused of graft and malversation before the Sandiganbayan in connection with an allegedly anomalous P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
Sunwest is a construction firm linked to Co, who has since denied the allegations against him.
Nine DPWH 4B officials have so far been arrested. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
