Taguig police serves arrest warrant vs Zaldy Co at BGC Condo

Taguig City Police on Saturday served an arrest warrant against former Ako Bicol party-list representative and House Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co.

The warrant of arrest was served by police officers from the Southern Police District-Taguig City Police Station from 11 a.m. onwards of November 22, 2025 at Co’s condominium residence in Bonifacio Global City.

Co, however, was not in the condo. 

On Friday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Co was last located in Japan. 

Remulla has given Co until Monday to surrender. 

In a radio interview on Saturday, Remulla said that DILG is still waiting for a copy of the warrants so that he could draft a memorandum calling for his surrender until Monday.

“[The memorandum] will state na bibigyan namin kayo hanggang Lunes na mag-surrender sa pinakamalapit ahensya ng gobyerno at magpakita, para maiharap namin. Otherwise, sila hahanapin namin,” he said.

(The memorandum will state that we will give you until Monday to surrender to the nearest government agency and show yourself. Otherwise, we will go after you.)

“Kasi kung sila po ay magtago, then we will consider them fugitives of justice. 'Pag sila po magpakita ng konting aggressive maneuvers or evasive maneuvers, baka magpapasensyahan kami. Ako, mabigat po kamay ko sa ganyan,” he added

(Because if they hide, then we will consider them fugitives of justice. If they show a hint of aggressive maneuvers or evasive maneuvers, we might end up testing each others’ patience. My hands are heavy in matters like these.)

“Gagamit ako po ng bigat ng batas niyan para makuha sila.”

(I will be using the might of the law to catch them.)

Taguig City Police station conducts service of warrant of arrest against former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co in his condo in Taguig City on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Jun Veneracion/GMA Integrated News

Independent Commission for Infrastructure executive director and spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka, in a separate statement, welcomed the Sandiganbayan’s issuance of arrest warrants against Co and others accused in the flood control corruption scandal.

“Ang paglabas ng arrest warrant ng Sandiganbayan ay napaka importante sa paglilitis ng mga akusado sa flood control scandal. Ito ay hudyat at simula ng proseso sa korte upang makamit na ang hustisya para sa taong-bayan,” Hosaka said.

(The issuance of arrest warrants by the Sandiganbayan is critical in trying those accused in the flood control scandal. This is the start of the process of court proceedings in order to attain justice for our countrymen.)

“Ito rin ang maaring maging basehang legal para mapa-uwi na sa bansa at mapaharap sa korte ang mga kinasasangkotan,” the ICI spokesperson said.

(This could also be the legal basis for the accused to be brought back to the country and face their charges in court.)

Co’s lawyer, in a message to GMA Integrated News, said, “For now, we trust that regular procedures were followed on the arrest warrants. We will therefore take our remedies in due course. On the new charges, I reserve comment until after I've verified the facts.”

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos announced Friday that arrest warrants have been issued against Co, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and directors of contracting firm Sunwest Corp.

The Sandiganbayan identified Co and 16 other individuals as the subjects of the arrest warrants, who have also been placed on a hold departure order.

Atty Ruy Rondain, Zaldy Co’s lawyer: For now, we trust that regular procedures were followed on the arrest warrants. We will therefore take our remedies in due course.
On the new charges, I reserve comment until after I've verified the facts. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) November 22, 2025

Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Nartatez Jr., on Friday, assured the lawful implementation of the warrants of arrest against Co and 17 other accused in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.

Hold departure orders have been issued for the accused, but the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified that no court order has yet been issued to cancel Co’s passport. 

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is urging Co and 17 of his co-accused to surrender "without delay."

"Surrender now, while dignity is still a choice and not a consequence. Hiding will not change the evidence, the charges, or the reach of the law," said NBI Director Atty. Angelito Magno.

"A warrant is not a storm you wait out—it is a responsibility you confront," he added. 

—VAL, GMA Integrated News