Tiangco urges NBI to follow up Interpol red notice

Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to send a high-level delegation to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) headquarters in Lyon, France, to follow up its request for a red notice against former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.

Tiangco said the NBI has yet to receive a response from Interpol regarding the red notice request, which was submitted on 23 November 2025.

“It is sad because the NBI itself admitted they have yet to receive an answer from Interpol for their request for a red notice,” Tiangco said.

He noted that responses to such requests typically take three to four weeks and said the delay warrants direct engagement from the agency.

Tiangco said the NBI should determine the cause of the delay and demonstrate a more assertive approach in pursuing the request.

The lawmaker stressed that time is critical, saying the absence of a red notice allows Co greater freedom of movement while facing multiple criminal cases.

“Habang walang red notice kay Zaldy Co, mas malaya siyang nakakagalaw at nakakapagplano kung paano tatakasan ang mga kasong sinampa sa kanya,” Tiangco said.

(“As long as there is no red notice against Zaldy Co, he can move freely and plan how to evade the cases filed against him.”)

Tiangco said the issuance of a red notice would help restrict Co’s movements and assist authorities in tracking his whereabouts.

A red notice is not an arrest warrant but a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, subject to the laws of each member country.

Co is facing charges of corruption and malversation of public funds in connection with an alleged P289.5-million anomalous road dike project in Oriental Mindoro. He is also facing plunder charges filed by the NBI.

Reports indicated that Co signed his petition before the Supreme Court before a notary public in Nacka, Stockholm, Sweden, on 15 January 2026.