Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun providing comprehensive investigative and security support to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) as it undertakes a series of inspections across the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced that through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and its Regional Field Units (RFUs), the PNP is offering both documentary and security assistance to ICI inspectors. This support was evident during field validations conducted on September 25, where the CIDG collected and safeguarded certified true copies of documents from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional offices to maintain the integrity of evidence.
In addition to securing documents, the PNP extended security services to engineers and inspectors during material testing and site visits. Nartatez highlighted the critical role of the CIDG in supporting the ICI, emphasizing their responsibilities in gathering pertinent documents, validating reports, and ensuring an unobstructed investigation. This effort aims to protect the integrity of public infrastructure projects and maintain accountability among contractors and public officials.
In the Davao Region, RFU 11 facilitated the safe arrival of ICI Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. Here, they discovered that a flood control project, reported as completed in 2022, had only commenced construction recently. The officials later addressed a press briefing in Davao City.
RFUs in other regions, including Ilocos, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga, also engaged with DPWH regional offices to request documents related to flood control projects. However, CIDG RFUs encountered challenges in accessing certain documents, with DPWH Mimaropa directing inquiries to its Regional Office in Diliman, Quezon City, and officials from Zamboanga Peninsula and Caraga denying requests, citing that documents had been forwarded to the ICI, National Bureau of Investigation, and the Commission on Audit.
Lt. Gen. Nartatez called on stakeholders to cooperate with the CIDG RFUs' requests as part of the ongoing ICI investigation. He emphasized the PNP's dedication to supporting the ICI in its pursuit of truth, transparency, and accountability.
This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s directive to enhance transparency, integrity, and accountability in government infrastructure projects, especially those affecting disaster preparedness and climate resilience. Nartatez reiterated the PNP's commitment to clean governance and maintaining public trust in government projects through truth and accountability.
