DPWH exec charged over Oriental Mindoro flood control project nabbed at NAIA
CIDG operatives prepare to present DPWH-Mimaropa Planning and Design head Montrexis Tamayo (wearing black jacket) at the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, or a day after his arrest at NAIA Terminal 3. (photo: PNP)
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), backed by airport policemen, arrested an engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who was among the accused in the P289 million alleged anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
CIDG director Police Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico confirmed the arrest of Montrexis Tamayo, former officer-in-charge of the Planning and Design Division of the DPWH-Mimaropa, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 shortly after his arrival on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 25.
Tamayo was reported to be in Jordan when the arrest warrant was issued against former Ako Bicol partylist representative Zaldy Co and at least 14 other officials Sunwest construction firm and DPWH officials, for graft and malversation cases.
Morico said CIDG men immediately went to the NAIA after confirming reports that Tamayo was on board an Emirates Airline flight bound for Manila
“Upon arrival of the flight, arresting personnel approached the subject for verification. Using an identification card as Montrexis Tordecilla Tamayo. The arresting team informed him of the nature of the warrants, and the arrest was effected without incident,” a police report read.
Morico said Tamayo was taken to Camp Crame in Quezon City for documentation, including the taking of fingerprints and mugshots, as part of a legal process.
He said Tamayo was presented to the court that issued the arrest warrant at the Sandiganbayan. Morico said it is the Sandiganbayan which will issue a commitment order as to where Tamatyo would be detained.
The arrest of Tamayo brought to nine the total number of accused in the flood control-related charges now under government custody.
All the female accused are expected to be detained at the Camp Karingal in Quezon City while a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-run detention facility in Payatas, Quezon City is the designated jail for the male accused.