Philippines, Czech Republic to pursue extradition, mutual legal assistance treaties

The Philippines and the Czech Republic have agreed to begin formal negotiations on three agreements regarding law enforcement, including one on extradition, Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said on Monday.

“Both the Philippines and the Czech Republic have agreed to begin formal negotiations on a mutual legal assistance treaty, an extradition treaty, and a transfer of sentenced persons agreement,” Vida told reporters in a press briefing in Prague.

He made the announcement shortly after Philippine officials were told by their Czech counterparts that former lawmaker Zaldy Co – who is facing graft and malversation raps over a flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro – was no longer in the Czech Republic.

Co was detained by Czech authorities after he reportedly tried to cross into Germany from the Czech Republic two weeks ago.

On April 16, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself announced that Czech authorities detained Co and that the government is exerting all efforts to bring him home so that he could face his case before the Sandiganbayan.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also said the lawmaker may be back in the Philippines by within a month.

Vida told reporters that Philippine officials were not told where Co went and from which part of the Czech Republic he exited.

They were also not told as to the reason for Co’s release, but Vida said they were informed that Co was still in the Schengen area in Europe.

Czech authorities cited Schengen rules and data privacy regulations for the limited information shared to the Philippine side.

“The sources are taking positions, and I try to pry without being arrogant. After they confirmed that Co is not in the territory of the Czech Republic anymore, I asked, and they said they could not confirm,” he said.

Vida said their Czech counterparts indicated that a police cooperation agreement would have helped in the issue of Co.

“They were pointing to a possible police cooperation agreement, which we don’t have,” he said.

This police cooperation agreement is currently the subject of ongoing negotiations between the two countries, Vida added. –NB, GMA News