Manila: Fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co has reportedly sent "feelers" expressing his intention for a dialogue, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday. In an interview at Camp Crame, Remulla mentioned that Co communicated his desire to engage with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla through contacts within the clergy.

According to Philippines News Agency, Co reached out via some priests he knew, asking them to facilitate a connection for dialogue. Remulla clarified that the proposal was directed towards the Ombudsman, not himself, and noted that the communication remains unverified, describing it as coming through a "friend of a friend."

Remulla stated that they are willing to engage in dialogue with Co, provided it does not involve bribery. He emphasized their openness to discussions but firmly dismissed any talks that might pertain to bribery.

Co, along with several former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in Mimaropa, is facing graft charges related to a PHP289 million fraudulent flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

In the same interview, Remulla also reported the arrest of DPWH engineer Emelita Juat. Juat, a co-accused of former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. in alleged "ghost" flood control projects in Bulacan, was apprehended in Obando, Bulacan, marking the last of Revilla's co-accused to be taken into government custody.

Juat was taken into custody by the Bulacan 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company for documentation, as informed by Police Regional Office (PRO) 3. She appeared before the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday morning for booking procedures and was subsequently ordered detained at Camp Karingal in Quezon City. Revilla and five of his co-accused had previously been apprehended following a warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan's Third Division.