Fugitive former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co is currently in France and staying in a high-value property along the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
During a Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel forum, Remulla said the property is a 10-bedroom home estimated to be worth around €200 million (approximately P14.18 billion).
The house is reportedly located near luxury establishments, including a store of Christian Dior.
“He has a house in Champs-Élysées, 10 bedrooms na malapit sa Christian Dior...10 bedrooms. Probably worth maybe 200 million euros. Doon siya ngayon,” Remulla said.
The Interior chief added that authorities had long suspected Co owned a residence in France. However, he clarified that Co was only granted a visa and not a passport, prompting the former lawmaker to apply for political asylum.
“Matagal nang theory namin doon na may bahay siya. But, apparently, visa lang pala ang binigay sa kaniya, hindi passport, kaya nag-apply siya for asylum,” he said.
Co has reportedly sought asylum in France amid legal troubles in the Philippines.
Remulla also disclosed that Co had previously been detained in Prague for 36 hours. He said he personally informed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the incident, based on information from the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
“He was detained for 36 hours. I was the one who informed the President of his capture… anything happened after my information to the president hindi ko na alam kung ano ang nangyari,” Remulla said.
Remulla said the Philippine government is now coordinating closely with Interpol to secure a red notice against Co. Such a notice requests law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted individual pending extradition or legal action, although it is not an international arrest warrant.
Remulla expressed confidence that authorities would succeed in obtaining the red notice and returning Co to the Philippines.
“I’m confident we’ll get the red notice, I’m confident we’re going to get Zaldy Co back here in the Philippines,” he said. “I’m confident na bago matapos ang asylum application niya, makukuha na natin si Zaldy.”
He also underscored his determination to pursue the case, saying he would exhaust all means necessary to secure international cooperation.
“Kung pwede ako lumuhod sa Interpol para makuha yun, gagawin ko,” Remulla said.
Co is facing graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with an allegedly anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. The Philippine government filed a request for a red notice against him in September.
Despite Co’s asylum bid, Remulla maintained that it would not deter the government’s efforts to bring him back to face the charges.
