Bongbong Marcos to Jonvic Remulla: Bring Back Zaldy Co
Meanwhile, Kalookan Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David criticized Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla for revealing his plan to go to France to pursue the fugitive former lawmaker. “Why announce to the media where you are going to look for him?”
President Marcos has ordered Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to bring back fugitive Zaldy Co from France “at all costs.”
This was the President’s marching orders to Remulla, who attended the Senate hearing on Thursday, Sept. 10, on the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s proposed 2027 budget.
“We know where he is. We know the address. We know his house. It’s to get him back here,” Remulla said in a chance interview.
He said he would go to France to make sure he could get a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol against Co, who is reportedly seeking asylum in the European country.
“Hopefully, it’ll be issued. It’s not been issued yet. So we’re going there to make sure that it’s issued. That’s on my part. That’s on law enforcement’s part,” Remulla said.
He also said he has not received feelers from Co.
“None. I don’t know the man. I never met him. If I did, I don’t recall. But I don’t have his number. We never had contact with each other. And then we’ll only get in touch with him once we arrest him,” Remulla said.
Meanwhile, Kalookan Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David criticized Remulla for revealing his plan to go to France to pursue the fugitive former lawmaker.
“If you are seriously trying to locate and arrest a fugitive, why announce to the media where you are going to look for him? Did the public – and more importantly, did the fugitive himself – really need to know that?” he said.
“Isn’t intelligence work supposed to involve a certain amount of discretion and confidentiality? Announcing your next move in a manhunt is practically an invitation to the fugitive: Don’t go to France,” David said.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier also said that he would be visiting France reportedly to warn local authorities there against providing sanctuary for personalities facing criminal cases or investigations in the Philippines such as Co and even Sen. Loren Legarda.
Co is the subject of two malversation cases now handled by the Sandiganbayan while Legarda is facing a plunder complaint before the Ombudsman. – With Evelyn Macairan
