The government will have to tap diplomatic channels and court orders would be needed to recover air assets of resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co which are now in Malaysia and Singapore, Department of Justice Spokesperson Polo Martinez said yesterday.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has confirmed that three registered air assets belonging to resigned Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co have left the country.
Two AgustaWestland helicopters are located in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, having flown there on August 20 and September 11, respectively. In addition, the Gulfstream aircraft has been in Singapore since August 16.
“CAAP emphasizes that it continues to diligently monitor all registered air assets in compliance with the law,” the agency said in a statement.
Martinez explained in an interview with DZMM that a court order is required to recover the assets abroad considering it is located outside the country.
“According to the law, assets that are not in the Philippines or outside of our jurisdiction cannot be simply seized by our courts or law enforcement [agencies] because they are outside our territorial jurisdiction. But that is not to say that we have no recourse, one of the possible avenues is coordinating with the countries where these assets are located,” he said.
While said order is needed to enforce the recovery of the assets, Martinez stressed that diplomatic channels would be the best possible avenue.
He noted that a complaint filed with a court is necessary where a motion seeks to recover certain properties. Upon assessment of evidence, the court will be able to determine if there are enough grounds to grant such motion.
There is still a legal challenge to recover assets not found in local jurisdiction even if there is a court order.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Zaldy Co air assets located in Malaysia, Singapore—CAAP”
