‘We know where he is’: Remulla reveals Marcos’ order on Zaldy Co

National

“WE know where he is.”

INTERIOR Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the government knows the whereabouts of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co in France and is now moving to bring him back to the Philippines on orders from President Marcos.

Marcos directed Remulla to secure Co’s return “at all costs,” according to the Interior secretary, who attended the Senate hearing on the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s proposed 2027 budget.

“We know where he is. We know the address. We know his house. It’s to get him back here,” Remulla said in a Philstar report.

Remulla added that he would travel to France to help secure a Red Notice from the International Criminal Police Organization, or Interpol, against Co, who is reportedly seeking asylum there. He said the notice had not yet been issued and that his role would be to help ensure that the request moves forward, while law enforcement handles the rest.

The Interior secretary also said he had received no communication from Co and had never had contact with him. Remulla said he did not know Co personally and did not have his phone number, adding that any contact would only take place after authorities arrest him.

Remulla’s disclosure of his planned trip to France drew criticism from Kalookan Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who questioned the wisdom of publicly announcing the location where authorities intend to pursue a fugitive.

“If you are seriously trying to locate and arrest a fugitive, why announce to the media where you are going to look for him? Did the public—and more importantly, did the fugitive himself—really need to know that?” David said in the same article.

David also questioned whether publicly disclosing the planned operation was consistent with the discretion and confidentiality normally associated with intelligence work. He said announcing the next step in a manhunt could effectively alert the fugitive to avoid France.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said he would also visit France, reportedly to warn local authorities against providing sanctuary to personalities facing criminal cases or investigations in the Philippines, including Co and Sen. Loren Legarda.

Co is facing two malversation cases before the Sandiganbayan, while Legarda is facing a plunder complaint before the Ombudsman.(MyTVCebu)