Marcos demands immediate arrest of Co, 17 others

National

“THE wheels of justice are turning,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared, calling for the immediate arrest of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and 17 co-accused after the Sandiganbayan issued warrants linked to a controversial P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Prosecutors said the project, awarded to Sunwest Inc., was substandard and improperly handled.

The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Divisions also issued hold-departure orders to prevent the accused from leaving the country, a report by Philstar said.

Co was the only individual confirmed to be abroad, having left in August, while others facing arrest include DPWH Region IV-B officials, engineers, bids and awards committee members, and executives of Sunwest Inc.

The Office of the Ombudsman welcomed the court’s swift action, noting that its prosecution panel filed the cases just last Tuesday.

In addition, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Co face plunder, graft, and direct bribery charges.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the referral relied on sworn affidavits from witnesses who testified during Senate Blue Ribbon hearings, along with official documentation, and emphasized that charges were filed only after solid evidence was established.

ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson estimated that more than 1,000 individuals could be held criminally liable for ghost and substandard flood control projects, noting that single projects often involve numerous people.

The joint DPWH-ICI report covers roughly P100 billion in infrastructure contracts awarded from 2016 to 2025 to Sunwest Inc. and Hi Tone Construction and Development Corp., both linked to Co.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that police tracker teams have launched a search for Co and his co-accused, visiting all known homes and offices and reviewing surveillance footage. If Co is not located, authorities may request Interpol assistance to issue a red notice and cancel his passport.

Interpol has already issued a blue notice for Co, meaning he is being monitored internationally but is not yet under arrest. Intelligence reports indicate he holds a Portuguese passport, which could complicate efforts to bring him home from countries without extradition treaties.

The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has also issued subpoenas to other individuals in connection with the flood control cases, emphasizing that all enforcement will strictly observe due process.

Marcos added, “This is not speculation. This is not just a tale. This is solid evidence,” reaffirming his commitment to seeing the cases through.

Opposition lawmakers welcomed the developments as steps toward accountability, while Marcos reiterated confidence in the Ombudsman’s independence, saying the investigation will follow the evidence wherever it leads.(MyTVCebu)