Acting Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Police Major General Robert Alexander Morico II, revealed on Monday, December 1, 2025, that three of the co-accused alongside former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co in a major graft case are merely "dummy" officials of Sunwest Corporation.
Dummy Officials and Surrender Feelers
During a press conference held at Camp Crame, Morico stated that two of the three individuals, who are known to still be in the Philippines, have already sent out signals indicating their willingness to surrender. He emphasized that although these individuals hold high-ranking titles within the company, they lack the financial means to even hire their own legal counsel.
"We must understand that the three we are looking for who are still in the country, although we see that they hold high positions in their company, are only dummies," Morico explained. "So basically they do not have the money and the capacity to pay for a lawyer for themselves."
However, the CIDG chief made it clear that the existence of arrest warrants means law enforcement will not wait indefinitely. He issued a direct message, assuring those at large that their human rights would be respected if they choose to surrender to the CIDG.
Who Is Wanted and Who Is in Custody?
The Sandiganbayan has issued arrest orders for 16 individuals in connection with malversation through falsification and two counts of graft. The charges stem from the controversial P289-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
The following individuals remain at large:
- Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co
- Timojen A. Sacar – Material Engineer, DPWH-Mimaropa
- Adelma Angelie D. Alcazar – President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Sunwest Corporation
- Cesar X. Buenaventura – Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors, Sunwest Corporation
- Consuelo D. Aldon – Member of the Board of Directors, Sunwest Corporation
- Engineer Noel Yap Cao – Member of the Board of Directors, Sunwest Corporation
- Anthony L. Ngo – Member of the Board of Directors, Sunwest Corporation
Morico declined to specify which of the Sunwest officials on the list are considered dummies.
Meanwhile, several other accused are already in custody. The CIDG holds nine individuals, predominantly officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa region. Two others are under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Failed Raid and Sunwest's Background
In related operations, the CIDG and NBI conducted a search last Thursday at a hotel in Pasay City where two Sunwest officials were suspected to be hiding. The operation, however, did not lead to their capture.
Sunwest Corporation, co-founded by Zaldy Co, is a significant player in the Philippine construction industry. The firm ranks among the top 15 construction companies in the country and secured approximately 20 percent, or P100 billion worth, of national flood control projects from 2022 to 2025.
The ongoing manhunt and investigation highlight the complexities of a major corruption case that involves both public officials and private corporate entities, with authorities now alleging the use of figurehead positions within a prominent company.
