The Philippine government has requested Interpol to issue a red notice for former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, declared a fugitive over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
NBI Spokesperson Palmer Mallari said the request was submitted through the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime on November 23.
“An alert would be sent to all member-states notifying them of the arrest warrant issued against the former lawmaker once the Interpol granted the government’s request,” he said.
While the domestic warrant has no legal effect abroad, foreign authorities are obliged to act on a red notice. Co could also be detained under local immigration rules, as his Philippine passport has been canceled.
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the DILG is coordinating with Portugal to locate Co, but noted that reports of him holding a Portuguese passport may complicate efforts to restrict his travel.
Co, along with several DPWH personnel and officials from Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, were ordered arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.