Taguig city: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized eight high-value vehicles in Taguig City on Thursday, estimated to be worth PHP143 million. In a statement, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the bureau enforced several court-issued search warrants against multiple companies for probable violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
According to Philippines News Agency, Nepomuceno noted that the operation at a multi-level parking facility in Taguig City was the result of sustained intelligence buildup and inter-agency coordination which includes the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), Taguig City Police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and barangay officials.
"We will continue to pursue coordinated actions against individuals, including those linked to the flood control scandal, to ensure accountability and protect the interests of the Filipino people," Nepomuceno said. The search was carried out by a composite team from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port, Enforcement and Security Service, along with the designated customs examiner.
"This early-year enforcement action demonstrates the Bureau of Customs' firm dedication to its mandate and its active role in supporting national efforts to address serious irregularities, including those linked to flood control projects," Nepomuceno added. The seized vehicles were transferred to the ICI office in Bonifacio Global City for temporary safekeeping and are secured by PCG personnel, pending further legal proceedings.
In an interview, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said the vehicles were believed to be linked to fugitive former congressman Zaldy Co, who is wanted for graft and malversation in connection with an allegedly anomalous PHP289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. "We are coordinating with our partners from the international law enforcement agencies and it is continuous. A wanted person can't hide forever," Nartatez said when asked regarding operations to locate Co, who is said to be in Portugal. "What's so important is there is no letup in our operations and investigation to locate and arrest [Co]," he added.
Meanwhile, PNP information chief and spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulph Tua±o said the PNP is ready to respond to any legal actions taken by Co and his lawyers regarding the seizure of the vehicles. This was after Co's lawyer, Ruy Rondain, said they will file criminal charges after police officers who seized two vehicles that were not covered by the search warrant secured by the BOC. According to the PNP-HPG, only eight of the seized vehicles were the subjects of the search warrant while the two others were 'subject to government confiscation pursuant to an LTO (Land Transportation Office) certification dated Dec. 9, 2025.'
