Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday confirmed the arrest of former congressman Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu by operatives of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) pursuant to warrants of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan.

Remulla said CIDG personnel located Defensor and Espiritu at a coffee shop in Quezon City, immediately placed them under arrest, and brought them before the Sandiganbayan for processing. Following mandatory medical examinations, the two will be transferred to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas in compliance with the court’s commitment order.

Authorities are likewise pursuing businessman Aristotle Viray, who also faces a warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan.

Remulla also confirmed that Senator Rodante Marcoleta is now under government custody after voluntarily appearing before the Sandiganbayan to file a motion to quash the warrant issued against him. The court denied the motion, after which law enforcement authorities served the warrant.

Clarifying questions on whether Marcoleta surrendered or was arrested, the DILG Chief said “it was both,” explaining that the Senator voluntarily appeared before the court to seek relief but was formally arrested after his motion to quash was denied.

Marcoleta is currently undergoing mandatory medical examinations before being transferred to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, also in compliance with the Sandiganbayan’s commitment order.

Defensor, Espiritu, Viray, and Marcoleta are co-accused in a non-bailable plunder case involving the alleged non-disclosure of P75 million in campaign donations during the last elections.