Ched Rick Gatchalian

Zaldy Co and DILG chief Jonvic Remulla. House Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

 

Article (news)

DFA clarifies Co manhunt not its sole responsibility, needs 'whole-of-government' approach

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771332991667HMM.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Zaldy Co and DILG chief Jonvic Remulla. House Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Zaldy Co and DILG chief Jonvic Remulla. House Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified Tuesday that securing former lawmaker Zaldy Co&#x27;s return to the Philippines is not a responsibility it has to shoulder alone, but a task that needs coordination among all law enforcement agencies and judicial processes, particularly Interpol coordination.</p><p>This, after Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the DILG no longer leads the hunt for Co and that DFA is now in charge.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/jonvic-remulla-to-zaldy-co-return-1-billion-first-before-we-can-talk-1103">Jonvic Remulla to Zaldy Co: Return $1 billion first before we can talk</a></div><p>&quot;While the DFA values the DILG&#x27;s collaboration, the DFA clarifies that Mr. Co&#x27;s arrest and repatriation involve coordinated law enforcement and judicial processes, particularly Interpol coordination,&quot; the DFA stressed in a statement.</p><p>It added that Remulla&#x27;s comment &quot;does not fully capture [the] whole-of-government approach&quot; needed for the matter.</p><p>Remulla earlier stated the DFA is now tasked to coordinate with other countries in terms of diplomatic steps.</p><p>&quot;The DFA reaffirms its commitment to the rule of law and ensuring that Filipino nationals facing legal accountability return to face due process. We urge the public to share any information on Mr. Co’s whereabouts to support these efforts,&quot; DFA added.</p><p>Remulla previously told that the Philippines will talk with the governments of both Portugal and Sweden to bring Co home.</p><p>He also revealed last month that the fugitive is reportedly staying i<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/22/zaldy-co-holed-up-in-lisbon-community-bantag-still-hiding-in-cordillera-2023">nside an exclusive gated community in Lisbon, Portugal.</a></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YVP-dsquj_s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that securing former lawmaker Zaldy Co's return to the Philippines is not a responsibility it has to shoulder alone.</p>

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that securing former lawmaker Zaldy Co's return to the Philippines is not a responsibility it has to shoulder alone.

DFA says Co manhunt not its sole responsibility, needs 'whole-of-government' approach

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DFA says Co manhunt not its sole responsibility, needs 'whole-of-government' approach

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 17, 2026 09:00 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Foreign Affairs

DFA

Zaldy Co

Jonvic Remulla

DILG

Flood control

Repatriation

Fugitive

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