DILG gives Zaldy Co until Monday to surrender

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that former Ako-Bicol Partylist representative Zaldy Co and his 17 other co-accused have 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.)

Remulla shared that implementation of the warrant against Co and his co-accused would be a joint implementation between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Earlier, the PNP assured that they will be executing the warrants in a lawful manner and will enforce due process.

The NBI also urged Co to surrender without delay and "while dignity is still a choice and not a consequence."

Where is Zaldy?

Meanwhile, Remulla noted that they are working on tracking Co’s location as he is currently outside the country.

As per the last information, the former congressman was seen in Japan.

However, he had reportedly flown to China and returned to Europe sometime on Thursday.

Remulla also shared that the Philippines would be unable to catch Co should he attempt to fly into Russia, China, Malaysia, or Portugal.

Co also reportedly has a Golden Visa in Portugal, which caused bigger issues as this entitled him to free travel within the European Schengen zone and further right to live in the country.

“Wala po tayong extradition treaties sa mga bayan na iyon… Ang rules [naman] po ng Portugal ay if the crime was committed before the acquisition of the [golden] passport, ay liable sila [sa batas],” Remulla said.

(We have no extradition treaties in these counties… The rule of Portugal [anyways] is that if the crime was committed before the acquisition of the [golden] passport, they are liable [with the law].)

The DILG secretary said that it would be more helpful to cancel Co’s passports so that he can be easily caught by Interpol.

“Whether it's a Philippine or Portuguese passport, basta huwag lang po doon sa loob ng bansa. Limitado po ang galaw dyan… Kahit saan po siya pumunta sa mundo, pag mag-register po ang kanyang passport ay mare-red flag kagad. I-arrest kagad siya ng mga officials,” he said.

(Whether it's a Philippine or Portuguese passport, as long as it's not inside the country. Their movements are limited… No matter where they are in the world, as long as they register their passports, they will be red-flagged immediately. They will be arrested by officials right away.)

Tracker teams deployed

Despite Co being believed to be overseas, Remulla said that Co might still enter the country through backdoor entrances.

As a result, tracker teams have been sent out to visit his known addresses and businesses.

In a statement on Saturday, DILG shared that the tracker teams will be in charge of visiting listed residences, reviewing five months of surveillance, and filing for red notices and passport cancellations.

Co and his other 17 co-accused are the subjects of several warrants of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan on Friday in relation to the anomalous flood control projects in the country.

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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News