Zaldy Co aircraft abroad to be seized

The government is set to confiscate all aircraft owned by resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, including those located outside the country, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) confirmed Thursday.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon assured the public during an interview at the Infrastructure Corporate Center in Taguig City that the government will recover Co’s air assets wherever they may be in the world.

Dizon was referring to Co’s two AgustaWestland helicopters and a Gulfstream aircraft, which have reportedly been moved to Malaysia and Singapore and have not yet been frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

“The important thing is that these aircraft will not be sold,” Dizon said, stressing that the assets would be reclaimed and prevented from being sold abroad as part of ongoing government efforts to recover assets linked to Co’s alleged illicit activities.

Dizon added that while only three of Co’s 10 aircraft had applied for deregistration, authorities successfully blocked those requests. Officials stressed that the aircraft will be reclaimed regardless of their current location.