Navotas City Lone District Representative Toby Tiangco has called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to send a high-level delegation to the headquarters of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in Lyon, France, to personally follow up on its request for a red notice against former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
In a statement, Tiangco expressed frustration over the lack of response from Interpol to the NBI’s request sent on November 23, noting that replies usually come within “three to four weeks.”
He said the NBI should take a more proactive approach by directly engaging Interpol officials.
“Dapat mas maging pursigido at agresibo ang gobyerno,” Tiangco said, warning that the absence of a red notice allows Co to move freely and possibly evade the cases filed against him.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said the government would issue a “red flag” on Co’s foreign passport to alert border authorities.
“Kinukuha namin ‘yong kopya ng passport, then we will put it through Interpol para hindi na siya makalabas ng Portugal at, kung lumabas man, mahuhuli natin,” Remulla told reporters at Camp Crame.
Tiangco stressed that while a red notice is not an arrest warrant, it would greatly help restrict Co’s movements and assist international law enforcement in tracking him.
Malacañang, meanwhile, said coordination among concerned agencies is ongoing.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said authorities are still verifying Co’s whereabouts following reports that he surfaced in Europe.
“But still, patuloy pa rin naman po ang [Department of the Interior and Local Government] at iba nating law enforcement agencies para mapauwi si Zaldy Co dito sa bansa,” she said.
Co is facing multiple cases, including corruption, malversation, and plunder, over the alleged misuse of ₱289.5 million in funds for a road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
Recent reports that he signed a legal document in Stockholm, Sweden have further fueled calls for stronger international coordination to secure his return.