Following the detention of several suspects linked to the alleged multi-million-peso flood-control anomaly, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said more “high-profile” arrests are expected in the coming weeks.

“Big fish are coming soon. We should expect the Discayas, senators, congressmen in the next five weeks sunod-sunod na sila,” Remulla stated.

He emphasized that the detained suspects would not receive any VIP treatment while under government custody.

Remulla issued the statement after law enforcement agencies confirmed that eight of the 16 individuals accused of anomalous ₱289.5-million flood-control and road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro had already been taken into custody.

The DILG chief also urged suspects currently abroad to surrender before Thursday, warning that no one regardless of rank or influence would receive special privileges once detained.

Among those still at large is former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, who resigned earlier this year and whose current whereabouts remain unknown.

Six of the eight male suspects already apprehended and have been ordered detained at the New Quezon City Jail by the Sandiganbayan. Another female suspect was granted bail in connection with a falsification of documents charge and will face trial before the Office of the Ombudsman’s Fifth Division.

The arrests were made after the Sandiganbayan released arrest warrants and hold departure orders last week against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in the MIMAROPA region and executives of Sunwest Inc., the private firm involved in the project.

The widening corruption probe gained further traction after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confirmed last week that arrest warrants had been issued for Co and 17 officials of DPWH and Sunwest Corporation.