Zamboanga City exec wanted for graft

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Police have launched a manhunt for a councilor of this city who reportedly went into hiding after he was charged with graft. 

Councilor Teodyver Arquiza was not at his residence in Barangay Talon-Talon when the police arrived to serve a warrant for his arrest on Friday afternoon, according to city police Station 6 commander Superintendent Nonito Asdai.

A local court ordered Asdai arrested for three counts each of malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Charged along with Arquiza were two village officials of Barangay Talon-Talon.

Reports said Arquiza committed the offense when he was chairman of Talon-Talon. He allegedly falsified documents for the release of the Sangguniang Kabataan funds.