MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has placed all immigration officers at international airports and seaports nationwide on heightened alert following the issuance of warrants of arrest by the Sandiganbayan against former Congressman Zaldy Co and 15 others on November 21.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the names of all individuals covered by the warrants have been encoded into the Bureau’s centralized derogatory database to ensure frontline officers can immediately flag, verify, and act should any of them attempt to enter or leave the country.

“Once intercepted, our officers are under strict instruction to promptly coordinate with the Philippine National Police for the proper and lawful execution of the warrants,” Viado said. He noted that close inter-agency coordination is crucial in preventing individuals facing charges from evading accountability through unauthorized travel.

According to BI travel records, four of the 16 individuals are currently abroad. Co departed for Singapore on August 6. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) OIC–Planning and Design Division Chief Montrexis Tamayo left for Qatar on November 15. Sunwest Inc. President and Board Chairman Aderma Angelie Alcazar traveled to Australia on October 2, while Sunwest Inc. treasurer Cesar Buenaventura departed for the United Arab Emirates on the same day.

Viado assured the public that the BI remains closely aligned with law enforcement agencies to ensure the warrants are enforced once any of the individuals present themselves at the country’s ports.