Bringing back former Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co from Portugal through deportation will take a long time, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Monday.

“Most improbable,” Remulla said in reaction to remarks by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, who urged the government to negotiate Co’s deportation instead of pursuing an extradition treaty.

“That is the most logical but the most improbable... Ang sinasabi ni Rep. Leila, madali sabihin, but it has to follow the rule of law,” Remulla said in a radio interview.

“Kailangan mo ng extradition request para ideport siya. The mere cancellation of passport does not work kasi may Portuguese passport siya. Ang passport niya gives him rights and privileges bilang isang Portuguese,” he explained.

Remulla said the Philippines and Portugal have no extradition treaty, although President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has earlier said the government is considering negotiating one in connection with Co’s arrest.

Despite this, Remulla said the government is exploring other legal avenues to repatriate Co.

“Pinag-aaralan namin kung ano ang avenues na open sa United Nations, kung ano ang agreements natin dun,” Remulla said.

“Malalaman natin within this week kung ano ang possible, pero sa ngayon, walang extradition ang Portugal at Philippines,” he added.

Co, one of the lawmakers implicated in the flood control controversy, is believed to be in Portugal.

Corruption and malversation charges have already been filed against Co and others before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged anomalous P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.