The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the three aircraft linked to former Ako-Bicol partylist Representative Zaldy Co cannot be sold even if these are outside the country.

According to CAAP director general Raul del Rosario on Thursday, the aircraft, which were still registered in the Philippines, cannot be transferred or sold while under the Philippine registry.

“An aircraft cannot be sold until it is deregistered from the country where it is first registered. This is in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization,” Del Rosario said.

CAAP earlier confirmed that three of the 13 air assets of Co had left the Philippines. Two AgustaWestland helicopters were flown to Kota Kinabalu on 20 August and 11 September, while a Gulfstream aircraft was flown to Singapore on 16 August.

Del Rosario said that the government can recover the aircraft once a forfeiture order is issued by the courts, which is being planned by the ICI’s technical working group, along with other agencies.

The aviation authority continues to coordinate with aviation authorities in Malaysia and Singapore to track the aircraft’s movements.