Where's Zaldy Co? DILG Urges Overseas Filipinos to Help Track Former Congressman

"Nakikusap kami sa lahat ng mga Pilipino sa buong mundo na kung makita rin nila si Zaldy Co, kung pwede nilang pictyuran, padala kaagad, ipost kagad sa internet para may idea tayo kung nasaan siya. Sa ngayon ang hinala namin ay nasa Portugal siya at doon po siya naninirahan,” Remulla said in a statement.

In November, Co stirred controversy when he claimed in a pre-recorded video that said insertions were done upon the instruction President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.— a claim that Malacañang has denied. In the aftermath, Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez dared him to "return to the country to face the music, to face his arrest warrant, and swear under oath all these allegations."

Malacañang has also floated the possibility of offering a reward for information on Co’s whereabouts. In a press briefing on December 2, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Press Officer Claire Castro said a reward “can be considered,” but she noted that “nothing has been discussed” so far.

Also read: Recap: Zaldy Co Claims Marcos Ordered P100-B Insertions—Malacañang Responds

According to intelligence cited by Remulla, Co might be in possession of two passports, one of which is Portuguese. 

“Not only a visa, but two passports. Doon ‘yung may complications tayo nang konti,” Remulla said. Earlier, the DILG said Co’s Philippine passport had been canceled, but the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified that it has not yet received the required court order for any revocation to take effect. Until that order arrives, the DFA said Co’s Philippine passport remains legally active even as the hunt for him continues.

Even before Remulla made the public appeal, Filipinos had already been trying to trace Co’s movements since it became clear he had left the country for medical treatment in the United States in August. After his documented departure from New York, unverified sightings began circulating among overseas Filipino communities. Between late September and November, he was allegedly spotted in places like Singapore, Madrid in Spain, Dubai, and Portugal. Some posts even reached Reddit, where users claimed they saw a man resembling Co on flights in and out of Singapore and Madrid—again, with no photos or verification attached.  

By the time local authorities weighed in, DILG said its own tracking confirmed that Co had indeed gone to the United States, Europe, Singapore, Portugal, Spain, and Japan. Remulla said the DILG, DFA, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the Ombudsman are working in tandem to secure what he called “a satisfying outcome” in Co’s repatriation.

Meanwhile in the Philippines, Remulla stressed that those involved in the ghost project mess will face arrest once the Ombudsman completes its protocols and issues warrants. Many of them can easily be found as they are still in the Philippines.

“Mahahanap ‘yan. It is the wheels of justice turning. Hinihintay natin,” Remulla said.

Also read: Why Claudine Co’s Name Is All Over Your Feed