Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday there are reports that fugitive former congressman Zaldy Co went to Sweden to file an apostille, a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document.

In a radio interview, Remulla said Co surfaced in Stockholm at least on January 15, based on an apostille attached to a petition for certiorari filed with the Supreme Court on January 25.

The petition, which seeks to challenge Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, showed that Co personally signed the document before a notary public in the municipality of Nacka in Stockholm on January 15.

A writ of certiorari is a formal request made to a higher court to review a decision from a lower court.

Remulla said Co was able to travel to Sweden because countries within the European Union are “borderless,” making cross-border movement easier.

“But nevertheless, ang Pangulo na nagsabi na gagawa na siya ng hakbang para kausapin ang Pangulo ng Portugal para ma-resolba na ito,” Remulla said.

The disclosure followed Remulla’s statement last week that Co was believed to be staying inside a gated community in Portugal, particularly in Lisbon.

“So kung nakarating man siya sa Sweden, hindi ko pa nakikita kasi lahat yun kung verified yung apostille niya, sigurado yan by land, lumakbay siya papuntang Stockholm. This is probably a two-day drive kung pupunta siya roon o a day and a half by train,” he said.

Remulla said he could not fault intelligence operatives for missing the development, calling it a “Herculean task” given their limited number and Co’s substantial resources.

The former lawmaker is facing an arrest warrant along with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and directors of Sunwest Corp., which he owned, over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

On November 18, 2025, the Ombudsman filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others before the Sandiganbayan. The cases stem from an alleged ₱289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, which Co has denied.

Amid reports that Co has sent feelers, Remulla said there would be no negotiations unless the former lawmaker returns $1 billion to the government.

“No deal. Isuli mo muna ang pera before we talk,” Remulla said.