Zaldy Co reportedly staying in Paris' Champs-Elysees, says Jonvic Remulla

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday said former lawmaker Zaldy Co, accused in the flood control mess, is currently staying in a 10-bedroom house on Champs-Élysées Avenue in Paris.

“He has a house in Champs-Élysées, 10 bedrooms na malapit sa Christian Dior. Ganito kalaki 'yung taas ng mga ceiling noon, 10 bedrooms. Probably worth five, probably worth maybe 200 million dollars, euros,” Remulla said at Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel forum.

(He has a house in Champs-Élysées, 10 bedrooms near Christian Dior. This is how high the ceilings there, 10 bedrooms. Probably worth five, probably worth maybe 200 million dollars or euros.)

“Doon siya ngayon (He's there now),” he added.

Remulla expressed confidence that authorities can secure the arrest of Co before France decides on his asylum application.

He noted that the Philippine government applied for an Interpol red notice against Co as early as September 2025.

“I am confident we'll get the red notice and I'm confident we're going to get Zaldy Co back here to the Philippines…This is the only hope we have,” Remulla said.

""I am confident na bago matapos yung asylum application niya, makukuha na natin si Zaldy. Six month application process kasi yan. Sometimes, tumatagal,” he added.

(I am confident that before his asylum application is finished, we will get Zaldy. Because that's a six month application process. Sometimes, it takes longer.)

As defined by Interpol, a red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

The individuals are wanted by the requesting member country or international tribunal. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

Arrest warrants were issued against Co and 17 others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directors of Sunwest Corp. over supposed anomalous flood control projects.

The Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others.

These charges were in connection with the alleged anomalous P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Co has denied the allegations.

On April 16, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Co had been detained in Prague. Marcos said Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic due to travel document issues.

On April 28, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Co was no longer in the custody of Czech authorities.

Malacañang also said that Co is seeking asylum in France.

Harry Roque

Meanwhile, the Philippine government is awaiting the outcome of the asylum application of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque after the process reaches its sixth month, Remulla said.

“Si Harry Roque, officially this week, tapos na ang kanyang six months. So we will know by today kung granted ba o hindi,” he said.

(With regards to Harry Roque, officially this week, his application reaches its six-month mark. So we will know by today if his asylum bid was granted or not.)

“Kung hindi nag-grant, puwede na siyang i-expel doon kasi wala na siyang travel papers. At saka 'yung kaso niya kasi is human trafficking. Kaya iba ang level noon na banned sa lahat ng mga bansa talaga,” he added.

(If it was not granted, he could be expelled there because he no longer has travel papers. And then his case is human trafficking. So it is a different level, it's banned from all countries.)

In May 2025, warrants of arrest were issued against Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 48 others for qualified human trafficking in relation to the alleged scam hub run by POGO firm Lucky South 99 in Porac town.

Roque has denied the allegations as fabricated and politically motivated.

In November last year, the Philippines requested that the Interpol issue a red notice against Roque.

In the same month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that it cancelled Roque’s passport.

In March last year, Roque said he applied for asylum in the Netherlands.

Because Roque entered Europe using a Schengen visa issued by Austria, he said Dutch authorities told him he should go to Austria under the EU’s Dublin procedure. —AOL, GMA News