INTERIOR Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday said authorities are monitoring the whereabouts of Charlie “Atong” Ang and Zaldy Co, noting that the businessman may have already left the country, while the former representative is confirmed to be staying in a gated community in Portugal.
Remulla said there are unconfirmed reports that Ang may be in Cambodia. “May information na nasa Cambodia. But that’s raw information… Kasi nag-set up siya ng online sabong sa Cambodia,” he said.
The DILG chief, however, said they remain confident that Ang is still in the country, adding that authorities are working on the cancellation of his passport to prevent travel abroad.
“Kapag i-cancel po ’yan, ang ASEAN magiging chairman ang ating Pangulo. Puwede niya pang i-request ’yan sa kapwa pangulo niya o hari yata sa Cambodia,” he said, referring to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
On the other hand, Co is reportedly staying in Lisbon, Portugal, inside a gated community.
“Nasa Portugal siya. We’re pretty certain nasa Lisbon siya. Isang gated community. Halos hindi lumalabas ng bahay,” Remulla said.
He added that government operatives are monitoring the area, though access is limited. “Meron kaming operatives na tumitingin, nagsu-surveillance siya. Pero halos di lumalabas ng bahay. Nandoon lang sa loob. Hindi kasi makakapasok doon sa gated community na iyan,” he said.
Remulla noted that Co’s situation is complicated by the lack of an extradition treaty between the Philippines and Portugal, and the former lawmaker reportedly holds a Portuguese passport.
“The government will apply all the pressure necessary. Kasi ngayon, lahat ng assets niya, malapit na ma-seize. Lahat ng pera niya rito, on hold. Lahat ng properties niya, lahat ng negosyo niya, nakukuha na ng gobyerno. Kahit paano, kung sino ka man, ipaglalaban mo ‘yan. In all legal ways, hindi kami manggigipit na hindi legal,” he said.
Arrest warrants were issued against Co in November 2025 in connection with anomalous flood control projects. The Ombudsman earlier filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges at the Sandiganbayan against Co and others, related to a P289 million project in Oriental Mindoro.
