The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday the organization is preparing to apprehend contractor Sarah Discaya in case an arrest warrant is issued against her over anomalous flood control projects.
At a press conference, PNP chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was asked about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s statement that the warrant for the arrest of Discaya is expected this week.
“Ang PNP is an organized organization under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). At ang trabaho natin is of course to conduct patrol, and then we investigate…We arrest persons by virtue of warrant of arrest or without warrant of arrest. Yung kagagagawa lang ng krimen ay puwede kaming mang-aresto,” Nartatez said.
(We can arrest those who have just committed a crime.)
“Ang mandato namin ang pag-aresto ng tao, especially those who are covered with warrants of arrest. At lagi kami naghahanda dyan. We have police operational procedures for arrest procedures and basis for that. And we are trained, educated, and we are ready to implement an arrest warrant at all times,” he added.
(Our mandate is to arrest people, especially those who are covered with warrants of arrest. And we always prepare for that. We have police operational procedures for arrest procedures and basis for that…And we are trained, educated, and we are ready to implement an arrest warrant at all times.)
In a video message, Marcos said, “Inaasahan na din nating lalabas ang warrant of arrest ni Sarah Discaya itong linggong ito, at hindi na rin magtatagal ang pag-aresto sa kanya.)
(We expect the warrant for the arrest of Sarah Discaya this week, and it will not take long before her arrest.)
He also said that eight personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Occidental have sent letters expressing their intention to surrender before the National Bureau of Investigation amid their cases involving flood control anomalies.
Discaya and nine others are facing cases for alleged malversation of public funds and alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Barangay Culaman in Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental.
Marcos said he has ordered the DILG to ensure that they know the location of the contractor and others charged. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
