Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday, February 17 that efforts to secure the return of former lawmaker Zaldy Co will be handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Speaking on Dobol B TV, Remulla explained that diplomatic procedures and legal mechanisms under the DFA’s jurisdiction will determine the next steps in bringing Co back to the country.
“Hindi na sa akin ‘yan. Sa DFA na ‘yan. Sila ang bahalang gumawa ng hakbang sa hanay ng diplomasya para makuha ‘yan,” Remulla said.
(It is no longer under my jurisdiction anymore. That’s up to the DFA. They’re the ones who will take steps through the diplomatic channels to get him.)
Remulla also confirmed that the Department of the Interior and Local Government has not yet initiated coordination with Interpol regarding Co.
“Wala pa. Hindi pa namin pinapasok ‘yun. Depende ‘yan sa mga charges na lalabas. So titignan natin,” he added.
(Not yet. We haven’t filed it yet. It depends on the charges that will come out. So we’ll see.)
Co’s location surfaced earlier through court documents indicating he was in Stockholm, Sweden as of January 15, based on an apostille attached to a petition filed before the Supreme Court.
Arrest warrants have been issued against Co and several others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and directors of Sunwest Corp., over alleged irregularities tied to flood control projects.
On November 18, 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with an alleged P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
Co has denied the accusations. He resigned from the House of Representatives and is reportedly staying overseas. Authorities said he was already out of the country when the allegations came to light.