The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has been notified of the passport cancellation of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ambassador Angelica Escalona said the DFA received the Sandiganbayan resolution on Dec. 10, prompting the immediate cancellation of Co’s passport.
Once a passport is cancelled, Escalona said the DFA informs the Bureau of Immigration and the Philippine Interpol office, formally known as the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, which then reports the cancellation to Interpol headquarters.
She explained that the cancelled passport is placed on Interpol’s alert system across international border controls, allowing authorities to flag it and coordinate subsequent actions.
The development comes as the Marcos administration intensifies its campaign against corruption, with Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given clear and uncompromising instructions that no one will be spared in ongoing investigations.
Speaking at the 277th founding anniversary and 10th cityhood celebration of General Trias City in Cavite, Remulla said all individuals involved in alleged flood control ghost projects and budget insertions would be investigated and held accountable, regardless of position or affiliation.
Remulla said the President has ordered an end to corruption during his term, stressing that there will be no favoritism and that those found guilty will face jail time.
He acknowledged that enforcing the directive has come with personal costs, including strained friendships, but said public service requires placing accountability above personal ties.
Remulla also addressed criticism directed at him and his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, saying their commitment to justice and public accountability remains firm.
He added that developments in the investigations are expected in the coming days and stressed that the administration’s anti-corruption drive must be consistent, fearless, and felt at all levels of government.
