MANILA, Philippines– The Sandiganbayan has declared former lawmaker Zaldy Co and three other individuals as fugitives from justice in connection with a flood control project case pending before the anti-graft court.
The declaration was issued after law enforcement authorities failed to locate and arrest Co and his co-accused despite existing warrants issued in the case.
According to the court, Co, a former member of the House of Representatives, is one of four accused in the case involving alleged irregularities in a government flood control project. The Sandiganbayan earlier issued warrants of arrest against Co and the three others in relation to the criminal charges filed over the project’s implementation.
The court ordered their arrest after finding probable cause to proceed with the case. It classified Co and the other accused as fugitives from justice for failing to submit to the court’s authority and for not appearing to face the charges.
Court records indicate that law enforcers attempted to serve the arrest warrants at the last known addresses of Co and the other accused but were unable to locate them. The prosecution informed the court that the accused remained at large, prompting the formal declaration of fugitive status.
The declaration remains in effect until authorities arrest the individuals or they voluntarily surrender. The Sandiganbayan has scheduled further proceedings and instructed the prosecution and other parties to comply with its directives and timelines.
