Former Zaldy Co, believed to be in Portugal, according to DILG Sec. Remulla

• Authorities believe former lawmaker Zaldy Co is staying inside a gated community in Lisbon, Portugal
• Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said surveillance teams are certain of Co’s location but face limits in accessing the area
• Arrest efforts are complicated by lack of an extradition deal and reports that Co holds a Portuguese passport
• Co continues to deny allegations linked to questionable flood control projects

Authorities believe former lawmaker Zaldy Co remains inside a gated community in Lisbon, Portugal. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla shared this information on Thursday based on ongoing surveillance efforts.

Remulla said law enforcers are already certain about Co’s location. Surveillance teams have been monitoring the area, but access remains difficult since Co rarely leaves the house. He added that operatives cannot freely enter the gated community, which makes arrest efforts challenging.

Challenges also include the absence of an extradition agreement between the Philippines and Portugal. Reports further suggest that Co holds a Portuguese passport, which adds another layer of difficulty for authorities seeking to bring him back to face charges.

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Remulla said the government is applying legal pressure by freezing Co’s assets in the Philippines. Authorities are moving to seize his properties, businesses, and funds linked to alleged illegal activities. He stressed that actions taken remain within legal bounds and are meant to ensure accountability.

In November 2025, courts issued arrest warrants against Co and several others. Those named included officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways and executives of Sunwest Corp. Authorities linked them to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Earlier, the Office of Ombudsman filed graft and malversation cases before the Sandiganbayan. Complaints involved a P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Co has denied all allegations related to the projects. He maintains that accusations against him are unfounded and insists on his innocence as investigations continue.

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Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co wrote to House Speaker Faustino Bojie Dy III and said he is willing to return to the Philippines to face corruption accusations. He strongly denied claims that he received kickbacks from flood control projects or made budget insertions on his own, saying the allegations are false and without basis. Co also expressed disappointment over the cancellation of his travel clearance while he was abroad for medical treatment, adding that the move was due to pressure and a premature judgment.Speaker Dy earlier ordered Co to return to the country on or before September 29. He also warned that Co could face disciplinary action if he fails to comply with the directive.

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In another viral local report, a 51-year-old public school teacher in Las Piñas City was stabbed multiple times by her own husband. Based on a report by EJ Gomez on Unang Balita, the 38-year-old suspect committed the crime inside the school’s faculty room. Police said the school had a security guard, but since the suspect was a familiar face, he was able to enter and leave easily. The suspect said he went there to talk to his wife and fix their problem, but it ended in a heated argument.

Source: KAMI.com.gh