ArticleActing swiftly on the directive of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed tracker teams to implement the arrest warrant for former Ako Bicol Congressman Zaldy Co and 17 cohorts involved in the multi-billion-peso flood control anomaly.

This came after PBBM announced on Friday that the Sandiganbayan had issued an arrest warrant and hold departure order (HDO) for Co, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and Sunwest Corp officials who are all linked to the flood control ghost projects.

Plunder, anti-graft, and indirect bribery charges were filed at the Office of the Ombudsman, based on the evidence from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the DPWH.

Remulla said that the PNP tracker teams will visit all listed residences, review five months of video surveillance, and may seek a red notice and passport cancellation.

According to Remulla, a blue notice was issued against Co two months ago, which enables the Philippine government to track Co’s location abroad, including the US, Europe, Singapore, Spain, Portugal, and Japan.

Remulla said that authorities are verifying whether Co’s golden visa in Portugal was acquired before or after the commission of the crimes. While the Philippines and Portugal have a diplomatic arrangement, the PH government’s next steps will depend on this fact.

Meanwhile, acting PNP Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the PNP remains committed to carrying out the arrest warrant lawfully, properly, and fairly, with the subjects to be provided with the rights guaranteed to them under the law.