MANILA — Authorities arrested another key figure in the alleged anomalous ₱289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, tightening the net around suspects wanted by the Sandiganbayan for graft and malversation charges.
Engineer Montrexis Tamayo, officer-in-charge of the DPWH–Mimaropa Planning and Design Division, was intercepted Tuesday afternoon at NAIA Terminal 3 upon his arrival from the United Arab Emirates, the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confirmed Wednesday.
According to the CIDG, operatives from its NCR Field Unit and the Aviation Security Group had monitored Tamayo’s inbound flight and waited for passengers to disembark at around 3:35 p.m. He was positively identified through his government-issued ID and informed of two outstanding arrest warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan.
Tamayo, who is facing charges of malversation through falsification and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, was brought to the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame for processing before being turned over to the anti-graft court on Wednesday morning.
His arrest comes just days after eight co-accused — DPWH Region IV-B officials Gerald Pacanan, Dennis Abagon, Gene Alurin, Ruben Santos, Dominic Serrano, Felisardo Casino, Lerma Cayco, and Juliet Calvo — appeared before the court. The male respondents were committed to the Payatas detention facility, while the female accused were taken to Camp Karingal. Calvo had earlier posted ₱90,000 bail for her graft case.
The arraignment of the accused is scheduled for December 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Despite these developments, authorities are still pursuing seven more suspects, including former lawmaker Zaldy Co, all of whom remain the subjects of outstanding arrest warrants and hold departure orders issued last week in connection with the questionable road dike project in Oriental Mindoro./PN
