Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday expressed confidence that authorities would eventually arrest fugitives former lawmaker Zaldy Co, businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Co's Asylum and Interpol Red Notice
During the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel forum in Manila, Remulla stated, "I'm confident we'll have custody of Co before his asylum application ends. We're working very hard. We won't stop. It doesn't always work to our favor, but now, we see his world is getting smaller." Co, wanted for graft and malversation over an allegedly anomalous PHP289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, is believed to be staying in a 10-bedroom house along the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The Philippine government requested an Interpol Red Notice against Co in September last year and continues to coordinate with the police organization for updates. "I am confident we'll get the Red Notice and I'm confident we're going to get Zaldy Co back here to the Philippines… This is the only hope we have," Remulla said.
Roque's Asylum Status
Remulla also said authorities expect to know soon whether Interpol has approved the government's request for a Red Notice against Roque, who faces human trafficking allegations linked to scam hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. The former Palace official is believed to be in Austria seeking asylum after his passport was cancelled by the Department of Foreign Affairs last November. "He could be expelled if his application for asylum is rejected because he no longer has travel papers," Remulla noted.
Ang's Elusive Movements
Regarding Ang, Remulla said authorities tracked him to a house in Cavite last month but failed to arrest him after he allegedly fled before police arrived. "He is here in the Philippines for sure. Last sighting was in Cavite, one month ago," Remulla said. He dismissed suggestions that Ang may have been tipped off, explaining, "That's impossible because we organized the team two hours before the operation and our policemen didn't have cellphones." Authorities believe Ang continues to move around the Calabarzon area. Ang faces non-bailable kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges in connection with the disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts. Twenty of his co-accused are already under government custody, and authorities have offered a PHP20-million reward for information leading to his arrest.
