NBI seeks Interpol red notice vs. Zaldy Co

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has asked the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co, spokesperson Palmer Mallari said Friday.

“Nagpadala na kami ng aming request for inclusion sa red notice kay Zaldy Co noon pa nong November 23,” Mallari told GMA News Online.

(We sent a request for the inclusion of Zaldy Co on the red notice on November 23.) 

He said the request is currently being evaluated by the Interpol.

According to Interpol, a red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person who is wanted by a requesting member country or an international tribunal pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

READ: What are Interpol notices?

The Sandiganbayan has declared Co as a “fugitive from justice” and ordered the cancellation of his passport amid malversation and graft charges over a P289 million substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.

Meanwhile, Mallari said they have leads on the last location of Zaldy Co but declined to provide further details to not compromise their movement.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday also said that it has started coordinating with Portugal, as Co is suspected to have a Portuguese passport.

“Ang alinlangan lang namin dyan ay kung totoo yung balita na may Portuguese passport siya, magiging mas komplikado ang bagay,” said DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Arrest warrants have been issued against Co and others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directors of Sunwest Corp. over supposed anomalous flood control projects. 

On November 18, the Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others. 

The charges were in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News