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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos explains why gov't can't bring Zaldy Co home

Marcos explains why gov't can't bring Zaldy Co home

Published Mar 11, 2026 10:47 am
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and resigned congressman Zaldy Co (File photos)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and resigned congressman Zaldy Co (File photos)
Bringing former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who is facing malversation of public funds case,  cannot be done without the help of the country where he is in, President Marcos said.
Marcos explained that while Co is facing raps over an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, the Philippine police cannot arrest him while he is outside the country.
"You cannot bring him home because that's just not the way it works. We have to ask the assistance of the country where he is in, which is presently Portugal," Marcos said in his post-New York working visit briefing on Tuesday, March 10 (New York time).
Local police, he said, has no jurisdiction over a foreign country. Thus, the government must seek help from the host country.
He, however, assured that they continue to work with Portugal for Co's return to Manila.
"So that is what we have done. Naglagay na tayo ng red notice sa Interpol at patuloy ang ating ugnayan sa mga Portuguese authorities na pauwiin na siya (We have already issued a red notice through Interpol, and we continue to coordinate with the authorities in Portugal to have him sent back to the Philippines)," Marcos said.
"And that's the process that. You do not send your own police to go and pick him up kasi wala namang jurisdiction ang police doon sa kung saan yung ibang bansa (because the police have no jurisdiction in another country). So, they cannot arrest anyone. So, it will have to be with the assistance of the hosting country," he further explained.
Last month, Malacañang said the pursuit of the former congressman remains a task shared by the law enforcement and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
In early December last year, Co's Philippine passport was cancelled, a move that aimed at preventing him from further hiding over allegations of corruption in connection to the flood control anomalies.
He was, however, suspected to have been carrying a Portuguese passport.
The former congressman was among the 16 people charged in connection with the anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
The government has since urged overseas Filipinos to take a photo of him in case they see him and report it to Filipino authorities.

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President Marcos Zaldy Co flood control anomalies flood control probe
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