Remulla asks Filipinos abroad to help locate fugitive Zaldy Co

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday called on overseas Filipinos to help in the arrest of former representative and now international fugitive Zaldy Co.

“Nakikiusap kami sa lahat ng mga Pilipino sa buong mundo na kung makita nila si Zaldy Co, kung puwede nilang picturan at ipost kaagad sa internet para may idea tayo kung nasaan siya,” he said during a press briefing in Malacañang.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier urged Co to return to the Philippines, assuring the public that the ongoing probe into flood control projects will not lead to a disappointing conclusion.

Co has been implicated in what has been described as the biggest corruption controversy involving alleged ghost flood control projects in the Department of Public Works and Highways and budget insertions in the House of Representatives.

Remulla said Co is suspected to be currently in Portugal and holding a Portuguese passport. “We believe he is a holder of two passports. Not only a visa, but two passports. Doon ‘yung may complications tayo nang konti,” he said.

He emphasized that a whole-of-government approach is underway to ensure Co’s arrest. He said the DILG, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Justice, and the Ombudsman are working to ensure “a satisfying outcome on the repatriation of Co.” Details of the repatriation are being handled by the DFA.

Meanwhile, Remulla said that persons involved in the ghost project controversy will definitely be arrested following the critical protocols of the Ombudsman, which will issue the warrants of arrest. He stressed that once the Ombudsman determines reasonable certainty of conviction, arrests will follow.

“Capturing them is not the issue, they’re in the Philippines. Mahahanap ‘yan. It is the wheels of justice turning, and hinihintay natin,” he added.

Remulla also reiterated his earlier statement that “bigger fish” involved in the corruption scandal will be captured.