Two of the 11 respondents in the case filed against the Discaya couple in Bulacan are now the subject of a manhunt operation, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla said on Monday, June 8.

In a briefing outside the Malolos Regional Trial Court, Remulla identified them as former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office planning and design chief Ernesto Galang and ex maintenance section officer-in-charge (OIC) Lorenzo Pagtalunan.

“Ito po ay return of warrant, hinihintay natin ang custody at remanding kung saan sila ikukulong ng judge. So hinihintay pa natin yun (This is a return of warrant, we are waiting for the custody and remanding order of the judge where they will be imprisoned),’’ Remulla noted.

Those under jail custody are Cezarah Rowena Discaya, Roma Angeline Discaya Rimando, Norberto Santos, Merg Laus, Pacific “Curlee” Discaya, Bryce Erickson Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Juanito Mendoza and Floralyn Simbulan.

Remulla assured that they are close in arresting Galang and Pagtalunan as authorities have leads of their whereabouts.

“As of now ang nine are already in custody. Si Pacifico Discaya who was picked up at 7 a.m. sinundo siya sa Senate. Pagkatapos ay dinala siya dito (Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 30) para sa inquest (As of now nine of the suspects are already in custody. Pacifico Discaya was picked up at 7 a.m. at the Senate. After which he was brought here for inquest proceedings),’’ he added.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Section 3 Republic Act (RA) 3019 or “The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act’’ for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

“Kung tatanungin niyo bakit magkahiwalay ang dalawa, ang Sandiganbayan ay kumukuha lang ng kaso kung salary grade 24, may salary grade silang puwede at itong mga nandidito ay below sa salary grade (If you would ask why these cases are being heard separately, the Sandiganbayan gets cases for salary grade 24 respondents and the accused here are below that salary grade),’’ Remulla explained.

Proper coordination

Proper coordination and institutional courtesy were done in relation to the implementation of the arrest warrant on controversial contractor Discaya, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said a sufficient number of policemen were sent to the Senate to implement the arrest warrant issued by the a Bulacan regional trial court for a case relating to the controversial flood control project.

Discaya was under the Senate custody since he was cited in contempt during a flood control hearing, the reason why proper coordination is needed.

“The arrest warrant was implemented in accordance with the law and established procedures in close coordination with the Senate to ensure an orderly, lawful, and transparent turnover process,” Nartatez said.

“There will be no special treatment. All persons subject to lawful arrest will be accorded the same standards of professionalism and due process,” he added.

More arrests

Some of those who were ordered arrested, including Discaya’s wife and three other accused, are already detained in at least three detention facilities for other cases.

Nartatez said he expects the same warrant to be implemented to all the co-accused who are not yet under custody. The case is a non-bailable offense.

“We want the public to be assured that the PNP remains committed to the principle that no one is above the law and no one is below the protection of the law,” Nartatez noted.

“Our role is not to determine guilt or innocence but to ensure the lawful implementation of court orders and support the administration of justice,” he added. (with Aaron Recuenco)