By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to coordinate with Malaysian and Singaporean authorities in locating the air assets of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.
In a video statement Friday, the President said Co’s planes and helicopters, registered to his company Misibis Aviation and Development Corporation, might be hidden in Malaysia and Singapore.
He noted that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has already secured a freeze order on Co’s air assets, prohibiting the use or movements of the aircraft.
“[K]ailangan natin ipaalam sa lahat ng mga pugante, hindi puwedeng gamitin ang mga ari-arian na galing sa kaban ng bayan na ninakaw ninyo para tumakas o umiwas sa batas,” Marcos said.
“You cannot steal from Filipino people and expect to hide or fly away on your private jets. You have the money to run, but you cannot outrun the Republic of the Philippines.”
The President made the statement a week after he ordered the immediate arrest of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co and his co-accused from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Sunwest Corp., reportedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.
Marcos renewed his call on those who remain at large to return to the country and face the charges against them.
“Kaya kayong mga pugante, umuwi na kayo! Ang payo ko sa inyo, hindi na kayo turista. Hinahabol na kayo ng batas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive confirmed that former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara has returned around P110 million cash to the government.
He added that Alcantara, according to the Department of Justice, is expected to return an additional P200 million to the nation’s coffers in the next two weeks.
“This government intends to bring back every peso, every asset, every person responsible and return it to the Filipino people.”
-jpv
