NEITHER repatriation nor deportation would apply insofar as government efforts to bring home fugitive Zaldy Co who has managed to slip out of the Czech Republic days after he was “arrested.”
According to Justice Secretary Frederick Vida, Philippine authorities would continue efforts to secure Co’s return to face graft and malversation charges over the so-called flood control scandal.
Vida likewise confirmed that the Czech government no longer has custody of Co, whom the DOJ chief hinted may have moved within a “border-free” zone in Europe.
“I have to share difficult news. Czech authorities have informed us that Mr. Zaldy Co is no longer in their custody,” Vida said in a news briefing on Monday night.
Co has reportedly managed to enter France to seek political asylum in an effort to evade return to the Philippines, where he is facing a string of arrest warrants amid criminal cases related to the flood control project corruption.
Co’s basis for asylum — “political persecution.”
Interpol Red Notice
After almost a year, the government hinted at the urgency of securing a red notice from the International Police Organization (Interpol), a task previously delegated to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
This comes as Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) executive director Major General Romeo Prestoza said they are pursuing international mechanisms, including a request for an Interpol red notice, which would allow law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest Co pending legal action.
Prestoza said they have already submitted the required documents to Interpol’s secretariat in Lyon, France.
DOJ Request Declined
Czech authorities in a statement said they are not pursuing extradition proceedings against the fugitive former congressman from the Philippines.
In a statement issued by the Czech Ministry of Justice (MOJ) following a meeting with the Philippines’ high-level coordinating team headed by Philippine Justice Secretary, officials clarified that no formal extradition case involving a Filipino national is underway at this time.
“Despite information that has appeared in the media in recent days, the Czech Republic is currently not conducting any extradition proceedings against a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines,” Czech Justice Minister Jeronym Tejc said in a statement.
Co’s Political Asylum
No less than Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that Co is seeking asylum in France.
“The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) has received highly reliable information that Zaldy Co has a pending petition for political asylum in France,” Castro said during a press briefing.
The Palace official likewise noted that Co has not committed any violation in France and that his transfer was carried out upon the request of French authorities in relation to his pending asylum application.
“He has been requested to be transferred to and is now under the jurisdiction of French authorities. All missions in Europe have been instructed to obtain further official confirmation,” she added.
Seeking Other Means
According to the Palace mouthpiece, the Philippine government would explore all available legal channels available under international laws to bring Co home to face the graft and malversation cases filed against him.
”Gagawin natin ang lahat nang naaayon sa batas at sa diplomatikong proseso,” Castro averred.
The President is set to meet with the ambassadors of France and the Czech Republic to discuss the circumstances involving Co, including ways forward on how he will be brought back to the country, she added.
Co’s asylum application would also be tackled during the meeting.
”Dapat din po nating igalang kung ano ba ang batas at polisiya ng ibang bansa kung saan siya nag-file ng petition for asylum,” Castro said.
Premature Announcement
On April 16, it was President Marcos himself who announced that Co had been held in custody in Prague.
Marcos said Co was flagged at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic and that the Philippine government continued to coordinate with Czech officials.
But after being informed that Co is no longer under the custody of the Czech government, Castro admitted that the President is disappointed with the recent developments — ”Sinabi niya na disappointed siya… malapit na sana natin napauwi si Zaldy Co,” Castro quipped.
Arrest warrants were issued against Co and directors of Sunwest Corp. over supposed anomalous flood control projects.
The Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others. The charges were in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
