One more individual accused of graft and malversation in connection with irregularities in the Oriental Mindoro flood control project has been arrested, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confirmed.
A police report from the CIDG identified the accused in custody as Department of Public Works Mimaropa (DPWH 4B) Planning and Design Division officer-in-charge Engr. Montrexis Tamayo.
Mimaropa, or Region IV-B, stands for Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.
The CIDG National Capital Region (NCR) and the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEG) arrested Tamayo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 in Pasay City Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 25, the police report noted.
‘At approximately 3:35 p.m., the said joint operating teams monitored Emirates Airlines Flight UAE332 at Naia Terminal 3. The subject person, Tamayo, was positively confirmed on board, scheduled to arrive at Gate 114,’ the police report said.
‘Upon arrival of Flight UAE332, arresting personnel approached the subject for verification using an identification card as Montrexis Tordecilla Tamayo. The arresting team informed him of the nature of the warrants, and the arrest was effected without incident,’ it added.
Tamayo was later transported to the CIDG national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Asked to confirm whether Tamayo was already brought before the Sandiganbayan, in a message to reporters, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said, ‘Yes, for the return of the warrant of arrest and commitment to the designated jail facility.’
Tamayo is among the 16 accused of graft and malversation before the Sandiganbayan for an allegedly anomalous P289.5-million Oriental Mindoro road dike project.
Last Monday, authorities announced eight of the 16 accused were already in government custody.
In an interview on ANC’s ‘Headstart’ on Wednesday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tamayo arrived in the Philippines from Israel.
However, in a statement later on Wednesday, the PNP AVSEG said Tamayo came from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Remulla previously said Tamayo was last known to be in Jordan. /apl /abc /mr