President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has widened the search for aircraft allegedly tied to former lawmaker Zaldy Co, directing Philippine transport and aviation authorities to reach out to counterparts in Singapore and Malaysia amid indications that the machines may have been moved or registered there under a private company.
In a video message released Friday, Marcos said the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have been ordered to coordinate with the two Southeast Asian neighbors as investigators track helicopters and planes initially covered by a freeze order of the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
The President said the aircraft appear to be associated with Misibis Aviation and Development Corporation, a firm Co has been linked to.
Marcos emphasized that the freeze order prevents the use or transfer of the assets, warning fugitives that state resources cannot be exploited to evade accountability. He said stolen public funds will not become a shield for escape, adding that those who attempt to flee using private jets or chartered aircraft will find the Philippine government waiting for them at every airstrip.
Co’s legal team has distanced him from the issue, insisting that the aircraft are properties of Misibis Aviation and not personally owned by the former solon. The clarification comes as Co, who has left the country, continues to post videos abroad accusing the President of benefiting from corruption—claims Marcos earlier dismissed as manufactured narratives meant to distract from ongoing investigations.
Marcos’ latest message urged those who have fled to return home, saying that anyone running from the law is no longer a tourist but a fugitive. His remarks come as public frustration over so-called ghost flood-control projects continues to intensify after months of nationwide scrutiny and repeated episodes of deadly flooding.
Allegations of substandard or nonexistent infrastructure have put contractors, local officials, and national agencies under investigation, forming one of the largest corruption probes in recent years.
The President also noted that former DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara surrendered P110 million to state coffers on Friday and committed to turning over an additional P200 million within two weeks.
Marcos said the government intends to recover every peso and every asset tied to the multibillion-peso controversy and bring back every individual accountable for siphoning public funds, underscoring that the process will continue until restitution is complete.