Resigned Ako Bicol party-list representative and former House Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co is believed to be hiding in Europe, possibly in Portugal, according to the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Monday, Remulla said government agencies are now working together to locate and apprehend the former lawmaker.

"Zaldy Co is believed to be in Europe, suspected to be in Portugal," Remulla said.

He revealed that authorities suspect Co may be using a Portuguese passport reportedly obtained years ago.

“He’s suspected to have a Portuguese passport acquired so many years ago,” Remulla said.

The DILG chief also issued an appeal to Filipinos abroad, urging them to report any sighting of the former congressman.

“Nakikiusap kami sa lahat ng mga Pilipino sa buong mundo na kung makita nila si Zaldy Co," he said.

"Kung pwede nilang picture-an, ipadala kaagad, i-post agad sa internet para may idea tayo kung nasaan siya,” Remulla added.

Co left the country in July to seek "medical treatment" in the United States.

Remulla earlier disclosed that Co was last seen in Japan as of November 21, while the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reports showed that Co departed for Singapore on August 6.

Co and 17 others are facing charges over an alleged anomalous P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.

Last Friday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to talk with authorities in Malaysia and Singapore to locate the air assets of Co.