Joselito Malig

Negotiations ongoing for surrender of some officials in Mindoro flood control anomaly

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Authorities are continuing negotiations with the families of several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and Sunwest Inc. executives who are linked to the anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.</p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><p>According to the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), three wanted officials — including one currently abroad — have sent surrender feelers.</p><p>“It’s important na ‘yung mga taong lumalapit sa amin, tiwala sila sa CIDG. That&#x27;s why there is an ongoing negotiation rin ng pag-surrender nila,” acting CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said.</p><p>“But the warrant of arrest, we will pursue. At the same time, may investigation kaming kinakalap,” he added.</p><p>Morico also noted that not all individuals tagged in the case are major players.</p><p>“You must understand also these people, hindi lahat sila may pera. Some of them are ‘dummies’ also. So we have to understand that,” he said.</p><p>Seven individuals remain at large, including DPWH Region-4B Materials Engineer Timojen Sacar, whose last known location is Israel.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/24/6-dpwh-officials-detained-in-qc-jail-over-289-5-m-oriental-mindoro-flood-control-anomaly-2144">6 DPWH officials detained in QC jail over Oriental Mindoro flood control anomaly</a></div><p>The remaining six fugitives are executives of Sunwest Inc., the construction firm linked to former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who is also among those wanted. </p><p>Co has not issued any surrender feeler, authorities said.</p><p>Morico admitted that the manhunt has been difficult due to the country’s geography and close family ties.</p><p>“Ang Pilipinas is archipelagic. Maraming ang magkakamag-anak. That&#x27;s one. And of course, blood is thicker than water. Kahit pa may warrant of arrest, hindi mo maitatago na tutulungan,” he explained.</p><p>Despite these hurdles, Morico said police efforts are ongoing both locally and internationally.</p><p>“We have the leadership ng PNP, may police attachés natin. Ongoing rin ang effort. Hindi naman stand alone ang CIDG. We have all the units of the PNP.”</p><p>Aside from manhunt operations, Morico said the CIDG is also supporting the investigation being conducted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).</p><p>“Marami kaming hinaharap ngayon but we’ll do our best,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/2/9th-dpwh-mimaropa-official-pleads-not-guilty-to-graft-over-flood-control-mess-0926">9th DPWH-Mimaropa official pleads not guilty to graft over flood control mess</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VDMEzA9k8Ok?si=Z3k-4LFW-BVSs-QL" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Authorities are continuing negotiations with the families of several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and Sunwest Inc. executives who are linked to anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.</p>

Authorities are continuing negotiations with the families of several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and Sunwest Inc. executives who are linked to anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.