Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco – Photo courtesy of Toby Tiangco/Facebook.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to send a high-level delegation to Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, to follow up on its request for a red notice against former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.
Tiangco said he was frustrated that Interpol had not responded to the NBI’s request, which was sent on November 23, noting that typical replies usually took three to four weeks. He added that a direct delegation could help determine the reason for the delay.
A red notice is a global alert asking law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest the subject of the notice. Tiangco stressed that while it was not an arrest warrant, it would have helped restrict Co’s movements and assist authorities worldwide in monitoring his whereabouts pending extradition or other legal action.
Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Philippines would place a “red flag” on Co’s foreign passport to alert border control personnel, preventing him from leaving Portugal and allowing authorities to arrest him if he tried to travel.
Tiangco called on authorities to exhaust all available measures, including direct engagement with Interpol if routine follow-ups proved ineffective.
Malacañang said coordination among relevant government agencies continued. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro noted that the Department of the Interior and Local Government and other law enforcement agencies were still working to bring Co back to the country.
Co is facing multiple charges, including corruption, malversation of public funds, and plunder related to a P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
Reports indicated that he had filed a petition before the Supreme Court in Stockholm on January 15, intensifying calls for stronger international coordination to secure his return.