The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed on Friday that it has already requested the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who is facing multiple graft charges over the alleged multibillion-peso flood control anomaly.
NBI spokesperson Atty. Palmer Mallari told the Inquirer that the request was filed on November 23, shortly after three separate Sandiganbayan divisions issued arrest warrants for Co and 15 co-accused.
“We had a request on November 23,” Mallari said in a text message in Filipino.
The red notice request was transmitted through the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, which serves as the country’s liaison for Interpol coordination.
A red notice is a global alert sent to law enforcement agencies worldwide, asking them to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted individual pending extradition, surrender, or other legal processes.
Co, who has not been located since the warrants were issued, is being tried for three separate cases connected to allegedly anomalous flood control projects. Despite his absence, the Sandiganbayan has earlier ruled that proceedings against him and the other accused will continue.
The NBI’s move signals intensified efforts to track down Co, who authorities fear may have already left the country to evade arrest. Further updates are expected as Interpol evaluates the red notice request.
