President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed that authorities have already secured seven of the 16 individuals facing charges in connection with the alleged flood control corruption scheme, signaling the first major wave of arrests since warrants were issued last week.
The update was delivered through his social media report, where Marcos disclosed that the National Bureau of Investigation apprehended one of the accused, while six others turned themselves in to the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. According to the President, two additional suspects have sent word that they plan to surrender soon.
Among those arrested was Dennis Abagon, identified as the officer in charge of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division and a member of the agency’s Bids and Awards Committee. The NBI took him into custody on Sunday.
Marcos made a direct appeal to those still eluding arrest, saying: “To all remaining accused, my advice: surrender now. Do not wait for authorities to hunt you down.” He added a warning to anyone providing protection: “Anyone hiding or helping hide them will be held accountable.”
He also confirmed that everyone already under custody will remain with the NBI until the court instructs otherwise, stressing that there will be “no special treatment.”
The President’s announcement comes months after he thrust the alleged irregularities into the spotlight during his July State of the Nation Address, which prompted a joint probe by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Commission on Audit, and the Office of the Ombudsman.
“I am informing you that several of those with arrest warrants from the Sandiganbayan are now in the custody of authorities,” Marcos said, reiterating his commitment to see the case through. “We will not stop.”
He had earlier vowed that those behind the multi-billion peso scheme would be jailed “before Christmas.”
