HPG: 2 more Zaldy Co-linked luxury vehicles spotted in Albay

Two luxury vehicles linked to resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co were spotted in Albay amid the government’s probe of anomalous flood control projects, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said on Tuesday.

“Binaba ko yung operation sa mga regions now. Because as I understand, nandun na sa ibang mga regions yung mga motor vehicles. For instance, in Region 5,” HPG chief Brigadier General Hansel Marantan said in an ambush interview.

(I brought the operation to the regions now. Because as I understand, the motor vehicles are already in other regions. For instance, in Region 5.)

“Two weeks ago, may nakita na dalawang motor vehicles doon and still on the process of investigation. Sa Region 5, particularly, I think in Albay.  If I’m not mistaken, I think one Fortuner and one Cadillac,” he added.

(Two weeks ago, two motor vehicles were seen there and still on the process of investigation. In Region 5, particularly, I think in Albay. If I’m not mistaken, I think one Fortuner and one Cadillac.)

With this, the HPG is still locating eight more vehicles linked to Co. Authorities are investigating a total of around 24 luxury vehicles linked to Co, according to the HPG.

Search warrants were earlier enforced for some of these vehicles at a condominium in Taguig City.

Under the Bureau of Customs (BOC), operations targeted nine luxury vehicles linked to Co but only eight were found.

Under the HPG’s watch, six vehicles were located but only four were seized, as the remaining two vehicle’s engines could not be started.

A total of 12 luxury vehicles are in the custody of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) as of January 12.

In November last year, the Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants against Co and several others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directors of Sunwest Corp., over an allegedly anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

This was after the Ombudsman filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co et al before the anti-graft court.

The charges are linked to an alleged P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Co has denied the allegations. He has since resigned as a House member, flew out of the country and is now reportedly in hiding overseas. — JMA, GMA Integrated News