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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP warns coddlers of accused in flood control graft cases

PNP warns coddlers of accused in flood control graft cases

Published Nov 25, 2025 10:26 am
As manhunt was intensified against the respondents in the first criminal charges filed in relation to the flood control controversy, a ranking police officials warned the public against aiding any of them to escape accountability.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said providing refuge and assisting any of the respondents in the graft and malversation cases over the anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro are tantamount to obstruction of justice and are punishable by law.
Nartatez issued the warning following the arrest of at least people during the serving of the arrest warrant against one of the respondents in Quezon City.
Reports also revealed that the same house, where an engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), was collared is owned by a politician based in Mindoro.
“We understand the close ties among relatives and friends but accountability and the rule of law must always prevail. Let us allow justice to take its course and part of it is to let them confront the cases filed against them,” said Nartatez.
“Hindi kailangang madamay at magdusa kayo dito (You don't need to suffer and be dragged into this),” he emphasized.
At least seven co-respondents of former Ako Bicol partylist representative Zaldy Co are now under government custody—the female accused are expected to be detained inside a police detention facility while the male accused were turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Arrest warrants were recently issued by the Sandiganbayan against Co and 15 others, including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and directors of Sunwest Corporation, in connection with the alleged anomalous P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
Nartatez called on communities to stand with the PNP by refusing to shield fugitives and instead helping authorities enforce accountability as he echoed the statement of the President that no special treatment will be extended to those implicated in the alleged anomalous flood control projects.
He encouraged the remaining suspects to surrender and face the charges against them.
Nartatez underscored that the PNP will continue its operations until all individuals sought by the courts are accounted for.
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