Extradition photo misused in false claim Interpol arrested Co
- FactRakers
- 52 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A YouTube video has falsely reported that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has arrested resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, using an unrelated extradition photo to support its claim.
The thumbnail in the Nov. 17 video posted by YouTube channel Trending Pinas News actually shows officers escorting American citizen Gilbert Reyes toward a white vehicle but with the overlaid text alleging it was Co:
Pinilit at tinakot nila akoKAKAPASOK LANG! ZALDY CO DAKIP NA NG INTERPOL () MAY MATINDING REBELASYON SA SENADO (They forced and threatened me. Just In! Interpol has nabbed Zaldy Co. He has a major revelation at the Senate)
A Google reverse image search traces the misused photo to a video posted on Interpol’s official X account on July 24, 2024 depicting Reyes’ extradition from the Dominican Republic to Honduras to face murder allegations involving three women. It states:
Located and arrested in the Dominican Republic a man wanted in connection with the murder of three women has been extradited to Honduras to face justice.
A collective result through cooperation between #INTERPOL,@PoliciaHonduras and @PoliciaRD
The footage was also posted on Interpol's official social media accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Interpol’s official website states, “It does not carry out investigations or arrest people.” These responsibilities belong solely to national law enforcement agencies. Interpol focuses on facilitating police cooperation, circulating notes and maintaining international criminal databases.
One of the thumbnail images used by Trending News Pilipinas in its Nov. 17 post showing a first-person view of Co was flagged by VERA Files on Oct. 13 as AI-generated.
The video appeared a week before Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Nov. 24 that Interpol had issued a Blue Notice against Co.
A Blue Notice seeks to “collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation,” according to Interpol’s official website.
[FactRakers has sought confirmation of Remulla’s claim by contacting the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police, which serves as the National Central Bureau in the country. We will update the story as soon as they respond.]
On Sept. 4, House of Representatives spokesperson Princess Abante said Co was in the United States for medical treatment while facing scrutiny over anomalous flood projects.
Co, who resigned on Sept. 29, later denied receiving kickbacks from Department of Public Works and Highways projects in a video he posted on Nov. 14.
The Sandiganbayan has issued arrest warrants against Co and 17 other individuals based on evidence gathered by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the DPWH.
Trending Pinas News’ video has reached over 16,000 views, 1,100 likes and 137 comments. The thumbnail has also been reposted by Facebook user Jiminick Marfil, whose version has 6,100 reactions, 2,100 comments and 706 shares. (JHB)
