The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has reached out to foreign flight regulators to help monitor three aircraft tied to former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, which have already flown out of the country amid a government probe into controversial flood control projects.
CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario confirmed Thursday that two AgustaWestland helicopters linked to Co traveled to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on August 20 and September 11, while a Gulfstream jet has been in Singapore since August 16.
“We are in communication with the civil aviation authorities in the countries they went to and we are asking for support to monitor them,” Del Rosario said in Filipino during a press briefing. “For now, that is what we can do.”
He added that the aircraft departed the Philippines before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) formally launched its investigation into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects.
Aside from the three units already overseas, Del Rosario said ten other registered aircraft tied to Co remain in the Philippines. “The others left here are being monitored as well… they must file flight plans before flying. But they are still in the country,” he noted.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon maintained that the aircraft cannot be disposed of even while abroad unless their registration is cancelled. “Ang importante, hindi ‘yan mabebenta,” Dizon said. “Kahit nasa ibang bansa pa ‘yan… mukhang pagdating na naman ‘yan, eh mababawi pa rin natin at makukuha pa rin natin.”
Del Rosario also pointed out that under International Civil Aviation Organization rules, an aircraft must have only one nationality and therefore cannot be re-registered in another country unless first deregistered at home — a safeguard that reduces the risk of selling the assets overseas. “Kaya parang hindi pwedeng ibenta,” he said.
Dizon earlier revealed that CAAP blocked attempts by firms linked to Co to deregister three helicopters that authorities sought to freeze. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) previously asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council to halt transactions involving billions of pesos’ worth of aircraft registered to companies associated with Zaldy Co and his brother, Christopher.
The fleet registered under Misibis Aviation — led by Co’s son, Michael Ellis — includes a $36-million Gulfstream 350, two AgustaWestland helicopters valued at $16 million each, two Bell 407 units worth around $3 million each, and a Bell 206B3 priced at $650,000.
Meanwhile, Del Rosario clarified that no aircraft are listed under the name of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, who has also been linked to the same scandal. “Sa record na chineck namin, wala… Walang lumalabas na pag-aari ni Speaker,” he said.
Both Co and Romualdez have denied any wrongdoing.
