By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its manhunt operations and expanded intelligence efforts to track down two of the 11 suspects who remain at large for their alleged involvement in flood control anomalies in Bulacan.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday said he had directed all regional police offices and local intelligence units to strengthen coordination and validate fresh leads to ensure the immediate arrest of the two suspects.
“We are highly confident that the remaining fugitives will be brought to justice very soon as our tracker teams are working seamlessly with local government units and communities,” Nartatez said in a statement.
He said police intelligence units and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) already have “significant leads” regarding the possible whereabouts of the fugitives, as well as the network assisting them.
“We are monitoring their movements closely and have expanded our operations to coordinate with regional and local police units in areas where they are suspected to be hiding,” he added.
Authorities identified the two as former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office Planning and Design chief Ernesto Galang and former Maintenance Section officer-in-charge Lorenzo Pagtalunan.
Those already in custody include spouses Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya; St. Timothy Construction Corp. managing officer Ma. Roma Angeline Discaya Rimando; and former and current DPWH officials Merg Jaron Caparas Laus, Brice Ericson Diaz Hernandez, Jaypee De Leon Mendoza, Norberto De Leon Santos, Juanito Coronel Mendoza, and Floralyn Yutuc Simbulan.
The suspects are facing charges for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or “The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. (PNA)
