President Bongbong Marcos on Friday issued a stern warning to alleged fugitives abroad, urging them to return to the Philippines as they are being pursued by the law.
In a video statement on his Facebook account, Marcos said public funds cannot be used by fugitives to hide overseas.
“Kailangan nating [ipaalam] sa lahat ng mga pugante, hindi puwedeng gamitin ang mga ari-arian na galing sa kaban ng bayan na ninakaw ninyo para tumakas o umiwas sa batas,” he said.
He added, “You cannot steal from Filipino people and expect to hide or fly away on your private jets.”
Marcos emphasized that while fugitives may have money to flee, they cannot escape justice.
“You have the money to run but you cannot outrun the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.
He encouraged unnamed fugitives to return, stating, “Kaya kayong mga pugante, umuwi na kayo. Ang payo ko sa inyo, hindi na kayo turista, hinahabol na kayo ng batas.”
The President also reported monitoring the air assets of former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, who is reportedly in Malaysia and Singapore, assuring that these assets under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) cannot be moved.