Seven individuals implicated in the controvesial flood-control project anomaly are now under government custody, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced in a video statement on Monday, November 24, as authorities continued a series of arrests and surrenders over the weekend.

The update came a day after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) made its first arrest in the widening scandal, taking into custody a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer.

According to NBI Officer-in-Charge Atty. Lito Magno, the engineer was apprehended in Quezon City on Sunday morning.

In his statement, Marcos announced that the six others voluntarily surrendered to the PNP–CIDG. Two more individuals have also expressed intentions to surrender.

“Isa naman sa kanila na inaresto ng NBI at anim naman ay boluntaryong sumuko sa CIDG. Mayroon din dalawang akusado po na nagpahayag na ng intensyon na sumuko,” Marcos said.

Out of three warrants and 16 identified suspects, seven are already in custody. Two more are preparing to surrender, while seven — including former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co — remain at large.

Marcos also noted that the suspect arrested by the NBI was found in a residence not his own. “Kaya’t mananagot din ‘yung mga nagtatago sa kanila,” he warned, adding that individuals helping fugitives avoid arrest may face legal repercussions.

The President emphasized that no special treatment will be given to any of the accused.

“Wala pong mga special treatment itong mga ito. Mananatili sila sa kustodiya ng NBI habang inaantay ang utos ng korte.”

He again urged the remaining suspects to turn themselves in.

“Ang aking payo sa inyo ay sumuko na kayo. Huwag niyong nangantayin na habol-habulin pa kayo.”

Marcos concluded by assuring the public that the government’s pursuit of accountability will continue.

“Tuloy-tuloy po ito. Hindi kami titigil. Hindi kami hihinto.”

UPDATE: During a Monday morning press conference following the President’s video statement, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that an eighth suspect is now in the custody of the PNP-CIDG. The newly apprehended individual has been identified as Lerma Cayco, an accountant with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 4B.