The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has made its first arrest in the widening scandal involving flood‑control projects, 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. He is now in NBI custody and undergoing processing under the agency’s standard operating procedure.

Magno identified the arrested individual as Engr. Dennis Abagon, who served as OIC‑Chief of the Bidding and Awards Committee and was a regular member of the Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division of the DPWH.

"Pagkatapos po nating mai-serve agad ang mga arrest warrant sa kanilang mga kilalang address ay patuloy ang pagtunton natin sa kanila at kanina nga pong madaling araw ay nakuha natin ang isang engineer na sangkot," Magno told DZRH.

The arrest comes after the anti‑graft court Sandiganbayan issued warrants against former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and 17 others, including DPWH officials and executives from Sunwest Corporation.

Abagon's charges stem from alleged irregularities in a P289.5-million flood-control project in Oriental Mindoro. The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation charges, accusing those involved of falsification and misuse of public funds.