DOJ to seek Interpol 'blue notice' vs Zaldy

Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to request from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) a “blue notice” against Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to track his whereabouts.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

“Yes, I confirm this. The SOJ (secretary of justice) has already given the instructions to apply for a Blue Notice from the Interpol through our local offices,” DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano told reporters via Viber yesterday.

Clavano said Remulla’s directive was “based on the investigation of the Blue Ribbon committee as well as the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) recommendation to prosecute.”

Color-coded notices from the Interpol are meant to enjoin law enforcement agencies of member-countries to cooperate and share critical information about individuals or groups facing investigation or prosecution.

A blue notice from the Interpol enjoins sharing of information about a person’s identity, location and activities, although it does not seek the person’s arrest or detention.

Remulla told reporters that the application for a blue notice is meant to notify the Interpol and its member-countries that Co is a “person of interest” and is now subject of criminal investigation.

Remulla said this is in order for the DOJ to get information on Co's whereabouts and how he is "going about his business." Asked where Co might be, Remulla said his office is receiving information that the congressman is currently in Europe.

"He is in Europe - Spain or France. A lot of text messages are coming in that he's in France," Remulla said.

The DOJ confirmed yesterday that its National Prosecution Service (NPS) will be conducting a case buildup against Co and 20 other individuals upon the recommendation of the NBI that they be prosecuted for graft, direct bribery and malversation of public funds in connection with their alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso flood control anomaly.