DPWH engineer in flood control scandal nabbed

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested yesterday one of the 18 suspects facing arrest warrants over an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

- By EJ MACABABBAD

Dennis Abagon, engineer at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa office, was nabbed at his house in Quezon City.

Authorities served his warrant on Saturday at his listed address in Cavite, but Abagon was not there.

The Sandiganbayan issued the arrest warrants on Friday against Abagon, resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, officials from the DPWH Mimaropa office and board members of contracting firm Sunwest Corp for graft and malversation of public funds.

The case stemmed from a P289.5million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Abagon holds three ranking positions at the regional office: officer-incharge of the Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division and Planning and Design Division, and a regular member of the bids and awards committee.

The engineer, who allegedly was about to surrender but still waited for his lawyers' advice, is maintaining his innocence of the charges against him.

Abagon, who has been at the DPWH for 33 years, said he has no communication with other highranking officials at the office.

He said he has "no problem" signing a waiver to open his bank accounts.

Two other people who were inside the residence with Abagon will face charges of obstruction of justice, the bureau said.

The NBI said the residence, with its windows covered with calendar pages, is allegedly owned by a politician. It is unclear if the bureau has any information about the owner's identity.

Operatives used a battering ram to enter the residence and caught Abagon with his clothes packed, indicating that he might be preparing to flee elsewhere.

Burner phones with newly purchased SIM cards were also confiscated.

Raymond Tansip, one of Abagon's lawyers, said his client is already under the custody of the NBI-Technical Intelligence Division in its headquarters in Pasay.