First arrest made in Philippine flood control scam, others nowhere to be found

Manila: Authorities in the Philippines have arrested Dennis Abagon, an engineer with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) MIMAROPA office, in connection with the controversial ₱289.5 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Abagon was taken into custody at a Quezon City residence, allegedly owned by a still-unnamed "politician", after two days of surveillance.

Abagon, the first government official apprehended in relation to the multi-billion peso flood control corruption scandal, served as officer-in-charge of the DPWH Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division, Planning and Design Division, and was a member of the Bids and Awards Committee in MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblom, Palawan).

He faces charges including malversation through falsification and graft linked to irregularities in the construction of a road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Reports allege he certified project compliance despite substandard or non-existent work, contributing to estimated government losses.

During the arrest, authorities recovered burner phones suspected of being used to conceal communication.

Two other persons were also detained for alleged obstruction of justice.

Abagon, with 33 years at DPWH, denies wrongdoing, claiming he merely "performed his duties without personal gain" and calls for fair treatment.

This law-enforcement action follows Sandiganbayan’s issuance of arrest warrants against Abagon, former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, DPWH MIMAROPA officials, and Sunwest Corp directors.

The Sunwest Corp., linked to Co's family, was the contracting firm behind the substandard flood control project funded under the 2024 DPWH national budget.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon previously reported that the flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro were either "ghosts" or substandard upon inspection.

Multiple teams continue serving warrants to arrest those implicated. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed the arrest and remains active in tracking co-accused persons linked to the scandal.

Investigation and prosecutions seek to address graft and misappropriation of public funds in critical infrastructure meant to protect communities from flooding. ​

Authorities have also sought an Interpol "Red Notice" for resigned congressman Zaldy Co, with the cancellation of his passport under consideration.

Alongside Co are officials from DPWH Region IV-B and executives of Sunwest.

Due to the scale of irregularities, prosecutors have recommended no bail for all those charged.

Task forces have already begun operations to execute the warrants, with law enforcement searching residences and known locations of the accused.

President Marcos called for urgent enforcement, describing the arrests as part of a broader campaign to root out corruption in critical infrastructure programs.

Amid criticism that the Ombudsman’s probe would result only in rhetoric, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson remarked Saturday, Nov. 22, that the arrests demonstrate otherwise.