FUGITIVE former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co remains at large in Portugal, where authorities believe he is staying inside a gated community in Lisbon, Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Thursday, even as the Philippine government intensified efforts to freeze and seize his assets at home.
In a radio interview, Remulla said Philippine authorities are “pretty certain” Co is in Lisbon based on ongoing surveillance, but arresting him has been difficult because he rarely leaves his residence, and the area is inaccessible to operatives.
“He is in Portugal. We’re pretty certain he’s in Lisbon, in a gated community. He hardly comes out of the house,” Remulla said. “We have operatives conducting surveillance, but he almost never leaves. He just stays inside. The problem is we cannot enter that gated community.” Remulla said efforts to arrest Co are further complicated by the absence of an extradition treaty between the Philippines and Portugal. He also disclosed that Co is reportedly holding a Portuguese passport, which adds another legal obstacle to securing his return to the country.
Despite these constraints, Remulla said the government is applying pressure through lawful means, particularly by moving to freeze and take over Co’s assets in the Philippines.
“The government will apply all the pressure necessary,” Remulla said. “At this point, almost all of his assets are close to being seized. All of his money here is on hold. His properties and businesses are being taken over by the government. Whoever you are, you will fight for your assets, but we will do everything through legal means. We will not resort to anything illegal.”
Arrest warrants were issued in November 2025 against Co and several others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and directors and executives of Co’s Sunwest Corp., in connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects. Authorities have yet to secure Co’s arrest as he remains outside the country.
The Office of the Ombudsman has also filed before the Sandiganbayan charges of corruption and malversation of public funds against Co and other respondents over a P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.