Marcos seeks Malaysia, Singapore help to locate Zaldy Co air assets

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said that he directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to coordinate with Malaysia and Singapore where the air assets of former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co might be located. 

In a video statement, Marcos said that Co’s helicopters and planes, registered to his company Misibis Aviation and Development Corporation, might be “hidden” in Malaysia and Singapore.

He emphasized that fugitives cannot use properties that came from the national treasury to fly away or evade the law.

“Nagkaroon na ng freeze order ang AMLC kaya lahat ng galaw at disposisyon ng mga aircraft na ito ay lalong-lalo na ngayon ay ipinagbabawal dahil kailangan natin ipalaman sa lahat ng mga pugante—hindi puwedeng gamitin ang mga ari-arian na galing sa kaban ng bayan, ninakaw ninyo para tumakas o umiwas sa batas,” the President said. 

(The AMLC already issued a freeze order, so all the movements and disposition of these aircrafts are prohibited, especially now. We have to tell fugitives that they cannot use the property that came from the national treasury, which they stole, to escape or evade the law.) 

“You cannot steal from the Filipino people and expect to hide or fly away on your private jets. You may have the money to run, but you cannot outrun the Republic of the Philippines,” he added. 

Atty. Ruy Rondain, Co’s legal counsel, previously denied that the former congressman owns any aircraft—a statement amid reports that three air assets tied to him have left the country.

To recall, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze billions of pesos worth of air assets registered to companies related to Co and his brother, Christopher. 

Marcos also called on fugitives to go back to the Philippines. 

“Kaya kayong mga pugante, umuwi na kayo. Ang payo ko sa inyo, hindi na kayo turista. Hinahabol na kayo ng batas,” he said. 

(To fugitives, go home. My advice to you is that you are no longer tourists. The law is after you.) 

The chief executive also confirmed that dismissed Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara has returned around P110 million cash to the nation’s coffers. 

Marcos said that Alcantara is expected to return an additional P200 million to the government.

“This government intends to bring back every peso, every asset, every person responsible and return it to the Filipino people,” the President said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News