The country’s police leadership signaled its openness to a government plan that could place a bounty on the arrest of former congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who is facing graft and malversation charges over a multimillion-peso infrastructure project in Oriental Mindoro.
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the institution is prepared to align with any directive that Malacañang may issue. “At this point, the Philippine National Police has not yet made a formal recommendation but we are ready to support whatever policy decision the national government may take. Our focus remains on locating and arresting Zaldy Co using all legal means available,” he said.
The proposal to offer a reward surfaced earlier in the week after the Palace confirmed it was studying the option. Co, who resigned from his post as Ako Bicol party-list representative and previously chaired the House appropriations committee, is among 16 individuals wanted by the Sandiganbayan in relation to an allegedly irregular P289.5-million road dike project.
Authorities last traced Co to Portugal, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Nartatez said a bounty could encourage people in remote communities to share information that may otherwise be difficult to obtain. “If there is a reward, there will be more potential informants, especially in areas where police presence is limited. It allows the public to report discreetly,” he noted.
He added that the PNP has existing systems to manage such arrangements. “We can activate our existing mechanisms for high-value targets. We have a template already for documentation, fund management, and validation,” he said.
The police chief pointed to a recent case involving businesswoman Cassandra Ong, who is wanted for alleged human trafficking linked to activities in a Philippine offshore gaming operator in Pampanga. The Department of Justice has placed a P1-million reward for her arrest.
“But, with or without reward, the PNP’s intelligence build-up and operations continue,” Nartatez said.
