Marcos confirms Zaldy Co is in Portugal

NEW YORK – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has confirmed that former Congressman Zaldy Co is in Portugal and the Philippine government is coordinating with officials there to bring the Filipino fugitive back home.

Marcos outlined ongoing efforts to repatriate the former Ako Bicol representative from Portugal during a press conference Tuesday at The Pierre Hotel in New York City.

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Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. holds a press conference Tuesday after delivering a speech at a special session of the UN General Assembly. Photo by Elton Lugay

When asked about the challenges in bringing Co back home, Marcos stated: “You cannot bring him home because…we have to ask for the assistance of the country where he is, which is presently Portugal. So that’s what we have done,” Marcos told reporters.

Red notice

“Naglagay na tayo ng red notice sa Interpol at patuloy ang ating ugnayan sa Portuguese authorities na pauwiin na siya. That’s the process,” he said. “You do not send your own police to go and pick him up kasi wala namang jurisdiction.” 

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla reported in January that Co is holed up in a gated community in Lisbon, under surveillance but rarely leaving his residence. 

The National Bureau of Investigation submitted supplemental documents to Interpol for a red notice request in February, aiming to facilitate his arrest and return to the country.

The Sandiganbayan upheld Co’s fugitive status last week and seized 16 of his properties worth over P215 million on Monday to secure potential liabilities from graft charges.

Co faces charges tied to a substandard P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, where he allegedly retained ownership of contractor Sunwest Corp.

The former lawmaker fled the Philippines in August 2025 and released videos in November alleging kickbacks involving Marcos and ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

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