Authorities seize luxury vehicles linked to Zaldy Co

Authorities served a warrant of seizure and detention on Thursday on the luxury vehicles linked to  former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co., who is linked to the anomalous flood control projects in the country. 

The warrant was served by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), and the Southern Police District. 

According to the report of Super Radyo dzBB’s Nimfa Ravelo, the vehicles were found in a condominium in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. 

Officials from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) are also present. 

There are nine cars subject of the warrant, but only eight cars were found, said Criminal Investigation and Detection Group National Capital Region chief Police Col. John Guiagui. 

“Yung mga sasakyan na nandito, yung walo, na subject ng SW ay dadalhin muna sa ICI pansamantala, for now, dahil walang mapaglagyan sa Bureau of Customs,” said Guiagui. 

(The vehicles here, the eight that are subject of the SW will be brought to the ICI temporarily because there's no more space at the Bureau of Customs.)

Meanwhile, the other vehicles not covered by the warrant will be handled by the PNP-HPG, as they were found to have violations.

“Yung iba na hindi kasama sa SW, dadalhin ng HPG..May alarma ito at may mga nakalista na mga initial violations like hindi nakapag-rehistro,” said Guiagui. 

(Others that are not covered by the SW, will be handled by the HPG...These are under alarm and some have listed violations like failure to register.)

The CIDG-NCR official also said that the cars were registered under various entities, including the Sunwest Construction, which was co-founded by Co, and some vehicles were registered under the name of Co’s wife. 

In Raffy Tima’s report on “State of the Nation,” the eight vehicles found were already brought to the ICI compound. The said vehicles reportedly amount to over P145 million.

Most of the vehicles subject of the warrant are armored vehicles. Among them are units of Cadillac Escalade, Lexus, Toyota Sequoia, and Toyota Land Cruiser, the report said. 

Meanwhile, authorities are still looking for a Rolls-Royce that was not seen in the condominium’s parking area which the BOC said was taken away earlier in the day. 

Further, the Land Transportation Office is looking for 15 other vehicles due to “mysterious documents.” 

The National Bureau of Investigation earlier filed a new plunder case against Co, who remains at large. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News