AT least four of the 16 individuals facing arrest warrants over the alleged multibillion-peso flood control scam are currently outside the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Monday.
According to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, the following suspects departed the Philippines before warrants were issued against them:
- Former congressman Zaldy Co, who flew to Singapore on August 6
- Montrexis C. Tamayo, OIC Planning and Design Division Chief of the DPWH, who left for Qatar on November 15
- Aderma Angelie Alcazar, Sunwest Inc. president and board chair, who traveled to Australia on October 2
- Cesar Buenaventura, Sunwest Inc. treasurer, who left for the United Arab Emirates on October 2
“All four did not have warrants of arrest at the time they departed,” Sandoval clarified.
She added that while travelers on tourist visas are required to present a return ticket, Co exceeded his declared return date. “There was still no immigration lookout bulletin at that time,” she explained.
GOVERNMENT MAY SEEK INTERPOL ASSISTANCE
Sandoval noted that Philippine authorities can still enforce the arrest warrants abroad with the help of Interpol.
“Our law enforcement agencies can forward the warrants to Interpol to help locate them overseas. If there is a warrant and the person refuses to return, they may be considered fugitives,” she said.
Officials are also studying the option of canceling the suspects’ passports.
“If the passport is canceled, they become undocumented aliens in the country where they’re staying, which can prompt their return. This is separate from extradition,” Sandoval added.
SEVEN SUSPECTS ALREADY IN CUSTODY
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier announced the arrest of seven suspects linked to the anomalous flood control projects.
Six surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), while one was apprehended by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Two additional suspects have reportedly expressed an intention to surrender.