EDITORIAL - Telegraphing moves

If resigned Ako Bicol congressman Elizaldy Co is truly in France, he would likely be on the move again soon.

Wanted for plunder in the Philippines, Co has impressively managed to evade being brought back to the country.

As of today, the government has yet to secure a Red Notice for Co from the International Criminal Police Organization, despite the filing of multiple cases against him for plunder, graft and malversation of public funds. Officials said the Interpol needed more information or documentation on Co’s case before issuing the Red Notice.

The absence of such an alert, officials said, was the reason Co drove out of the Czech Republic after being held there briefly even as Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida had rushed to Prague to put him under Philippine custody.

Following Vida’s expensive but fruitless excursion, people wondered why there is still no Red Notice for Co, who has been implicated in massive flood control anomalies since President Marcos launched his anti-corruption crackdown in July last year.

Surely it wasn’t for the absence of formal court indictment. As early as November last year, the Sandiganbayan had already ordered Co’s arrest together with 17 others, mostly officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and directors of contractor Sunwest Corp., which is linked to his family.

The Philippines has been dealing extensively with the Interpol and knows the various modes of getting its help in gaining custody of wanted persons.

Since going abroad ostensibly for health reasons in mid-July 2025, and then resigning as congressman on Sept. 29, Co is believed to have moved around Europe, starting in Portugal where he is said to have either a passport or a “golden” or special investor’s visa.

Co later released a video, claiming that he was told to get out of the country and stay out by then House speaker Martin Romualdez, who allegedly said it was ordered by President Marcos. In response, Marcos advised Co to return to the country and face the charges.

These days Co is supposedly seeking political asylum in France, where both the Interpol and global dirty money watchdog Financial Action Task Force are based.

Recently, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he would be going to Interpol headquarters in Lyon to follow up on the Red Notice. He also said that the government knows where Co is.

The announcement raised concerns that it had warned Co to get out of France, and bolstered suspicions that the government truly wants him to stay out. The best way for Remulla to dispel this persistent suspicion is by bringing back Co.