MANILA — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday called on former Ako Bicol Party-List Rep. Zaldy Co and his co-accused in the flood control corruption scandal to surrender before authorities locate them.

“We have to make this clear that no matter where you are in the world, we will find you. If you are at large, we will find you. If you are hiding in the Philippines, we will find you,” Remulla said during a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Aside from Co, those with outstanding warrants of arrest include Timojen Sacar, Montrexis Tamayo, Aderma Angelie Alcazar, Cesar Buenaventura, Consuelo Aldon, Noel Cao, and Anthony Ngo.

Remulla said several accused believed to be abroad have already expressed their intention to surrender. “Other members believed to be abroad have made contact with our law enforcement agencies and are expected to show up at the embassy and begin immediate repatriation to the Philippines,” he said.

“They have done so voluntarily and informed us of their whereabouts and we informed them of their right to proceed immediately to the embassy as soon as possible,” he added.

The DILG chief also warned those helping fugitives that they face prosecution. “Binabalaan po namin ang lahat ng gustong tumulong na itago ang mga ito, [na] may kaparusahan na katumbas ang kanilang ginagawa,” Remulla said.

Eight people linked to the controversy, all officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), are already in government custody. They are Dennis Pelo Abagon, Gerald Pacanan, Gene Ryan Alurin Altea, Ruben delos Santos Jr., Dominic Gregorio Serrano, Juliet Cabungan Calvo, Felisardo Sevare Casuno, and Lerma Dotado Cayco.

Lawyer Angelito Magno, officer-in-charge of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), said Abagon, formerly a member of the DPWH Bidding and Awards Committee, was arrested in Quezon City on Sunday after authorities failed to serve the warrant at his known Cavite address. “Abagon was arrested in Quezon City after a failed [serving of arrest warrant] in his known address in Cavite. He was arrested on Sunday early morning at Sikatuna Village. Arrested with him were the stay-in helpers who are a couple,” Magno said.

Pacanan, former DPWH Mimaropa regional director, surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and helped authorities arrest six of his co-accused, according to acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (PNA)