PNP recalls security detail of Zaldy Co

The Philippine National Police confirmed on Monday that the five police security escorts assigned to Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co have been recalled after the lawmaker left the country, amid ongoing controversies over flood control projects.

According to a Super Radyo dzBB report by Mark Makalalad, Police Brig. Gen. Randulf T. Tuaño, chief of the PNP Public Information Office, announced the recall during a press conference on Monday.

BINAWIAN NG SECURITY DETAIL

5 security detail ni Cong. Zaldy Co, ni-recall na ng Pambansang Pulisya. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/VnHwvdn5LL

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 29, 2025

Tuaño said the security personnel from the PNP Police Security and Protection Group were withdrawn as part of standard operating procedure (SOP) when their principal is no longer in the country.

He said they will still look into why five security escorts had been assigned to Co, noting that further details on the lawmaker’s current whereabouts have yet to be obtained by the police.

Aside from the confirmation of the security recall, the PNP has not released additional information regarding Co.

The House of Representatives has revoked the travel clearance of Co and ordered him to immediately return to the country. The deadline set by the House is September 29, 2025.

Also on Monday, Malacañang said the Department of Justice has already requested Interpol to issue a blue notice on Co.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed this in a briefing.

Co, in several instances in the Senate blue ribbon committee hearings, was linked to kickbacks from ghost and substandard flood control projects. The lawmaker has since denied the allegations against him. 

Co said he would return to the Philippines to clear his name over ''baseless allegations.''

There has been no criminal or administrative case filed against Co thus far, except for an ethics complaint filed by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco over the former’s alleged involvement in the flood control racketeering mess.

The Department of Public Works and Highways already requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze Co and his family’s P4.3 billions worth of air assets amid government crackdown on supposed ill-gotten assets of personalities linked to the flood control projects mess.—Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News