PNP: Manhunt continues for remaining suspects in flood control case

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is actively pursuing the remaining accused in a Bulacan flood control-related case following the implementation of an arrest warrant against controversial contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya.

In a statement on Monday, PNP chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police operations are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining accused who are not yet in custody.

Former House of Representatives Appropriations Committee chairperson and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co is a subject of a warrant in connection with graft and malversation charges linked to an allegedly irregular flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

READ: Curlee Discaya arrested for malversation

Co is reportedly believed to have left the country since the flood control controversy surfaced last year.

Regarding Curlee Discaya’s arrest, Nartatez said law enforcement personnel were deployed to the Senate to carry out the warrant issued by a Bulacan regional trial court.

Discaya had been under Senate custody after being cited in contempt during a Senate inquiry on flood control projects, prompting authorities to coordinate closely with the chamber before enforcing the court order.

“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.

This development follows the filing of charges by the Office of the Ombudsman last week over alleged irregularities in a Bulacan flood control project.The accused were charged with alleged violation of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, or malversation of public funds or property, through falsification of public documents in relation to Articles 171(4) and 48.

On Friday, the Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 20 ordered the arrest of Discaya, his wife, and nine other respondents.

Authorities noted that several of those covered by the warrant—including Discaya’s wife and three co-accused—are already being held in separate detention facilities for other cases.

“Our role is not to determine guilt or innocence but to ensure the lawful implementation of court orders and support the administration of justice,” said the PNP chief.

A day before Curlee Discaya’s arrest, four individuals facing charges in connection with the flood control scandal in Bulacan were arrested by the PNP.

All four individuals have been charged with malversation of public funds or property, allegedly committed through the falsification of public documents. /mr