MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has moved to lock down millions of dollars’ worth of aircraft and nearly half a billion pesos in luxury vehicles allegedly tied to Ako Bicol’s Cong. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, his relatives, and contractors now in the crosshairs of the flood control projects scandal.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) handed over a registry showing Misibis Aviation & Development Corp.—run by Zaldy Co’s son Michael Ellis—holding $74.65 million in aircraft, among them a $36-million Gulfstream 350 and a $16-million Agusta Westland AW1399.
Also flagged were air assets under Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp., led by Zaldy’s brother Christopher Co, which reportedly includes a $6.9-million Agusta A109E helicopter from its $7.94 million inventory. A $2-million Bell 505 registered to QM Builders, a contractor linked to Allan Quirante and listed among firms under probe, was likewise included in the freeze request.
Dizon said the aviation inventory will be endorsed to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to prevent any disposal or transfer of the assets.
“Sabi ng Pangulo bawiin ang pera ng taumbayan at kasama na po ito,” he stressed.
He added that the DPWH has also sought full registries of land titles, vehicles, vessels, and aircraft from the Land Transportation Office, Land Registration Authority, CAAP, and the Maritime Industry Authority. These will be turned over to the Department of Justice and the Independent Commission on Infrastructure to reinforce the ongoing corruption probe.
Apart from aircraft, the DPWH asked the AMLC to freeze ₱474,483,120 worth of luxury vehicles belonging to 26 personalities tagged in the scandal. Among them are former DPWH Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara, dismissed assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, and contractor Pacifico Discaya.
Dizon also issued a public warning against transacting with those trying to sell flagged vehicles.
“At kung meron mga kababayan tayo na nakikipag-transaksyon dito at gustong bumili ng mga sasakyan na ‘to magdalawang isip kayo kasi pati kayo madadamay dito pagkabinili niyo itong mga assets, mga sasakyan na ito,” he said. “‘Wag niyo pong bibilin ang mga asset na ‘yan dahil malamang mapi-freeze na ‘yan.”
The sweeping freeze request underscores the DPWH’s most aggressive step yet in tracing illicit wealth and clawing back public funds from the flood control kickbacks racket./PN
