The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Saturday urged former Ako-Bicol Partylist representative Zaldy Co and 17 of his co-accused to surrender “without delay.”

“Surrender now, while dignity is still a choice and not a consequence. Hiding will not change the evidence, the charges, or the reach of the law,” said NBI Director Atty. Angelito Magno.

“A warrant is not a storm you wait out—it is a responsibility you confront,” he added.

Earlier the Taguig City Police served the arrest warrant for Co in his ondominium residence in Bonifacio Global City.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said that Co was last located in Japan.

“The NBI stands ready to take them into custody safely and lawfully, but we remind them: courage is shown not by escape, but by facing justice head-on,” said Magno.

Co’s lawyer, in a message to GMA Integrated News said, “For now, we trust that regular procedures were followed on the arrest warrants. We will therefore take our remedies in due course. On the new charges, I reserve comment until after I’ve verified the facts.”