President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered transport and aviation officials to work with counterparts in Malaysia and Singapore to locate aircraft allegedly linked to resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
In a video statement Friday, Marcos said the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have been instructed to verify reports that helicopters and a private jet registered under Misibis Aviation & Development Corp. were flown out of the country and are being kept abroad.
“You cannot steal from the Filipino people and expect to hide or fly away on your private jets,” President Marcos told Co. “You may have the money to run, but you cannot outrun the Republic of the Philippines.”
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) earlier issued freeze orders covering Co-linked aircraft and bank accounts, blocking their transfer, sale, or movement.
According to AMLC’s recent freeze order, 205 bank accounts, 12 insurance policies, two AW139 helicopters valued at about P919.1 million each, and a Gulfstream G350 jet estimated at over P2 billion were seized.
An AMLC probe found probable cause that these assets were purchased with, or used to store, funds tied to the alleged kickbacks received by Co.
Financial records show roughly P3.9 billion in inflows from 2021 to 2025, far exceeding the former lawmaker’s pre-Congress earnings, while AMLC estimates Co may have received up to P10.4 billion in kickbacks from 2023 to 2025.
Addressing fugitives implicated in the scheme, Mr. Marcos urged them to surrender.
“Kaya kayong mga pugante, umuwi na kayo! Ang payo ko sa inyo, hindi na kayo turista. Hinahabol na kayo ng batas (To the fugitives, go home! My advice to you is that you’re not tourists anymore. The law is closing in on you),” the president said.
The Chief Executive also confirmed that former Department of Public Works and Highways official Henry Alcantara has returned P110 million to the government in connection with the same investigation.
President Marcos said that the government is expecting Alcantara to remit an additional P200 million within two weeks.
“This government intends to bring back every peso, every asset, every person responsible, and return it to the Filipino people,” President Marcos said.
