The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is prepared to fly back three aircraft linked to former Congressman Zaldy Co once a forfeiture order is issued against them, Jecelle Ricafort reported.

In a press briefing of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in Taguig City, CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario said that their flight inspectors are ready to travel to Malaysia and Singapore to retrieve and escort home the two AgustaWestland helicopters and a Gulfstream jet connected to Co.

For now, Del Rosario said CAAP’s action is limited to seeking assistance from civil aviation authorities in the two countries to monitor the aircraft.

The CAAP chief clarified that the resigned lawmaker did not use the air assets to leave the Philippines, but refused to confirm whether his relatives were the passengers.

According to Del Rosario, one of the helicopters was on a medical evacuation mission, and its submitted flight plan did not indicate a return date since it was filed as a one-way flight.

He assured the public that CAAP is closely monitoring 10 other aircraft associated with Co that remain in the Philippines, which are reportedly operating only under "maintenance flights."

When asked whether former House Speaker Martin Romualdez also has aircraft registered under his name, Del Rosario said there is none on record with CAAP.