Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed on Tuesday the Philippines will apply for an extradition treaty with Portugal to gain the custody of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

In a press conference, Remulla said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has ordered government agencies to request from Portugal tha repatriation of Co, even though the European country does not currently have a formal extradition treaty with the Philippines.

“Zaldy Co is abroad. We suspect na nasa Portugal siya, information namin meron siyang Portuguese passport out of an immigration clause ang inilagay nila,” Remulla said.

“Nagbigay na ng instructions ang presidente na formally mag-aapply na kami ng extradition treaty sa kanila [Portugal] kahit wala pang formal extradition treaty between the two countries,” he added.

He added that through Interpol, the government will request Co’s repatriation if he is indeed in Portugal.

Remulla also noted that Co is still believed to be in Portugal and is reportedly a bearer of a Portuguese passport.

“This step is being taken to bring him home following complaints related to anomalous flood control projects,” he said.

When asked about the timeline for Co’s return, Remulla did not provide a specific date.

He emphasized that the government will pursue only lawful avenues to secure custody.

“We do not practice extra judicial means of acquiring jurisdiction of a person. We always do the rational, legal and acceptable ways of acquiring jurisdiction of a person,” he said.

Zaldy Co, who recently resigned from the House of Representatives, faces multiple complaints related to alleged irregularities in flood control projects, including a P289.5-million project in Oriental Mindoro.