Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Former lawmaker and fugitive Zaldy Co is reportedly staying inside an exclusive gated community in Lisbon, Portugal, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.</p><p>In a press briefing on Thursday, Remulla said authorities already know the exact location where Co is hiding but are constrained by the tight security in the area, which he likened to an elite village in Metro Manila.</p><p>“Alam namin ‘yung eksaktong community kung saan siya nag-i-stay. Hindi lang pwedeng pumasok, parang Forbes Park ‘yan. Hindi rin siya lumalabas. Andoon ‘yung operatives natin,” Remulla said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/22/palace-on-zaldy-co-s-alleged-feelers-for-dialogue-it-s-up-to-ombudsman-1533">Palace on Zaldy Co’s alleged &#x27;feelers&#x27; for dialogue: It&#x27;s up to Ombudsman</a></div><p>He described Co as effectively living in isolation despite his wealth.</p><p>“He is a poor man with a lot of money. Sa lahat ng pera niya, wala siyang mabibilhan ng kalayaan. Hindi niya ma-enjoy pera niya, mga anak niya miserable andun ngayon, walang silang makausap rin,” he added.</p><p>The interior chief earlier said Co may be holding a Portuguese passport allegedly acquired through Portugal’s Golden Visa program, a detail that could complicate extradition efforts.</p><p>“Ang batas nila if the offense was committed before the granting of the passport, pwede siyang i-extradite. But kung hawak na niya ‘yung passport at na-commit niya yung offense, ay hindi nila ie-extradite,” he explained.</p><p>Based on government information, Co may have already obtained a Portuguese passport around eight years ago</p><p>“So naghahanap kami ng kaso 10 years older para ‘yun ang ifa-file namin sa kanya. Criminal talaga, may escape route siya e. Alam niya kung paano tatakas.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/zaldy-co-resigns-as-house-representative-amid-flood-control-scandal-1600">Zaldy Co resigns as House representative amid flood control scandal</a></div><p>Remulla also said there has been no communication between Co and his family.</p><div> </div><div><strong>BANTAG STILL IN CORDILLERA</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, fugitive former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag remains at large but is believed to still be hiding in the country.</p><p>Bantag has been evading authorities after being tagged as the alleged mastermind in the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid, who was shot dead in Las Piñas City in October 2022.</p><p>Mabasa had previously aired commentaries online that supposedly linked Bantag to corruption.</p><p>“Ang latest info namin ay nasa Cordillera region siya so andun ‘yung tracker teams namin ngayon pero dapat maintindihan niyo mahirap ang Cordillera region, bundok ‘yan. Bago mo mapasok ‘yan ‘yung may cover of trees so hindi natin pwede lagyan ng drone walang makikita,” he said.</p><p>According to Remulla, authorities are relying on human intelligence as local terrain and community dynamics pose challenges.</p><p>Despite the difficulties, Remulla maintained that authorities remain determined to locate Bantag and other fugitives.</p><p>“If the government is determined to find someone, we are going to find it. We have 325,000 policemen, lahat ‘yan dedicated sa kanilang trabaho. So gagamitin natin lahat ng resources namin para mahanap sila.”</p>

<p>Former lawmaker and fugitive Zaldy Co is reportedly staying inside an exclusive gated community in Lisbon, Portugal, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.</p>

Former lawmaker and fugitive Zaldy Co is reportedly staying inside an exclusive gated community in Lisbon, Portugal, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Zaldy Co holed up in Lisbon community; Bantag still hiding in Cordillera

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Zaldy Co holed up in Lisbon community; Bantag still hiding in Cordillera

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 22, 2026 08:23 PM PHT

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Updated January 22, 2026 09:03 PM PHT

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Zaldy Co

Portugal

Jonvic Remulla

ABSnews

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