Following the arrest of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said authorities are intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend his co-accused, including former representative Zaldy Co.

Remulla said the government is preparing another request for an INTERPOL Red Notice against Co following the filing of a ₱7.44-billion plunder case against him, Romualdez, Romualdez’s personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Sereño, and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation president Felicito Cristobal Guevarra.

According to Remulla, he is scheduled to travel to Lyon, France, to personally follow up with INTERPOL on efforts to locate and apprehend Co.

“Fa-file-an na namin si Zaldy Co ulit ng red notice. Coincidentally, pupunta rin ako sa Lyon, France para i-follow up ang red notice niya sa Interpol,” he explained.

Remulla said Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla is also expected to travel to France to coordinate through diplomatic channels on efforts to secure Co’s apprehension and return to the Philippines.

“I will work with the Interpol, he will work with the diplomatic efforts para makuha si Zaldy Co.”

The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed a ₱7.44-billion plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Co, Romualdez, Sereño, and Guevarra.

The case stems from an alleged kickback scheme involving flood-control and other government infrastructure projects implemented from 2022 to 2025.

Romualdez was served his arrest warrant on Monday while confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where he had been admitted following a transient ischemic attack. Authorities are seeking his transfer to the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame, subject to his medical condition and the approval of the court.

Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities are continuing efforts to locate Sereño and Guevarra and serve their respective warrants of arrest.

The DILG assured that authorities will continue pursuing all available legal and law enforcement mechanisms, including international coordination when necessary, to ensure that those facing warrants are brought before the proper courts.