The international police agency Interpol has issued a Blue Notice for former House Appropriations Committee chairman and former Ako Bicol Party‑list Representative Zaldy Co, according to Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
The notice seeks additional information about Co’s identity, location or activities in connection with a criminal investigation.
Remulla said Co is believed to be using another passport and possibly a different name, and authorities are still verifying the details. He added that an arrest warrant has been issued and that a Red Notice — a global request to locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive pending extradition — may follow.
The notice comes amid corruption and malversation charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan against Co and 17 others in connection with alleged anomalous flood-control projects.
Authorities said Co was last seen in Japan and that several of the other respondents believed to be abroad have made contact with Philippine law-enforcement and are expected to be repatriated.
With this development, DILG and the National Bureau of Investigation are intensifying efforts to track Co’s whereabouts and expedite his arrest.