MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to coordinate with Philippine embassies abroad to ensure the capture and immediate return of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co following the cancellation of his passport.

“Maibabalita ko po sa inyo na ang passport po ni Zaldy Co ay kanselado na,” President Marcos said in a video message on Wednesday.

“Kaya in-instruction-an ko na ang Department of Foreign Affairs, pati ang PNP, na makipag-ugnayan sa ating mga embassies sa iba’t ibang bansa para tiyakin na hindi maaaring magtago itong ating hinahabol na magtago doon sa kanilang bansa,” he added.

He also said that if Co attempts to travel abroad, he will be reported to authorities to facilitate his return to the Philippines.

Co, along with officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa and executives of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., face arrest warrants over graft and malversation charges linked to an anomalous multi-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. The Office of the Ombudsman filed the case before the Sandiganbayan as part of the first tranche of cases related to flood control project corruption.

President Marcos also noted that contractor Sarah Discaya is now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after surrendering on Tuesday in anticipation of her arrest warrant.

“The process of going after those involved in the flood control scandal is going well,” the President said, assuring the public that corrupt officials will be held accountable.

“Asahan po ninyo na patuloy pa rin ang ating imbestigasyon, patuloy pa rin ang ating pagpila ng mga kaso upang tiyakin na ang mga guilty dito sa ganitong klaseng iskandalo ay haharap sa batas at bukod diyan ay maibalik ang ninakaw na pera sa taong bayan,” Marcos added.