Wanted engineer now hiding in Cebu

A former civil engineer who worked for the then Ministry of Public Works-7 in the 1970s wanted for allegedly allowing funds for a ghost project is now on the watchlist of the Bureau of Immigration after arriving here from Australia last July 7.

Authorities are convinced Perseverando “Percy” Licen is still hiding somewhere in Cebu.  He has a warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division.

Licen was allegedly one of those who issued authorized allotments for road projects that did not exist. 

In 1978, a team from the Commission on Audit organized by Sofronio Flores, then COA-7 director, was able to verify the alleged issuances of fake Letters of Advice of Allotments and Sub-Advices of Cash Disbursement Ceilings for the ghost projects from 1976 to 1978.

The warrant for Licen’s arrest was issued on September 14, 1990 by then chairman Romeo Escareal of the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division with no bail recommended.

However, Licen left for Australia and did not return until last week via SilkAir from Melbourne, Australia, to visit his mother who celebrated her birthday last July 9.

Aside from Licen, most of the others accused in the case were already convicted and serving their terms in jail.

Licen was supposed to leave Cebu on a flight back to Melbourne last July 16 but allegedly changed plans after realizing that the authorities were conducting surveillance on him.  – Ramil V. Ayuman/BRP