Palace says Zaldy Co seeking asylum in France

Zaldy Co is seeking asylum in France, Malacañang announced on Tuesday, a day after Czech authorities told a Philippine mission headed by Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida that the former congressman facing graft and malversation charges was no longer in their custody.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro cited reliable information from the Department of Foreign Affairs, adding that Co is now in France's custody.

"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 in a news briefing.

"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. 

Castro said Co is seeking asylum in France, citing political persecution. Citing information from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Palace official said Co may actually roam around the Schengen area.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that Co had been caught and was in the custody of Czech officials after having documentation issues.

Officials then announced efforts to bring him back to the Philippines, with Vida leading the team that coordinated with Czech officials.

"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.

He said he asked the Czech for information on Co's location, but added that it was not available due to Schengen rules and data privacy regulations in Europe.

Vida said Czech authorities mentioned that a police cooperation agreement between the two countries would have been helpful in Co's case.

Castro on Tuesday said that the Marcos administration would work with foreign governments through every legal channel available under international laws to bring Co home so he can face the graft and malversation cases filed against him. 

''Gagawin natin ang lahat nang naaayon sa batas at sa diplomatikong proseso,'' Castro said.

(We will do everything in accordance with the law and through diplomatic processes.) 

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, Castro said.

She added that 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. 

(We need to respect the law and the policies in the country where he filed a petition seeking political asylum.)

To recall, it was Marcos who announced on April 16 that Co had been held in custody in Prague.

Marcos said Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic and that the Philippine government continued to coordinate with Czech officials.

Arrest warrants were issued against Co and 17 others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 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. 

Co has since maintained his innocence over these corruption allegations.

Vida said Co was still in the Schengen area. Asked where the former lawmaker went and which part of the Czech Republic he exited, Vida said the information was not relayed to them.

The Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) said the requirements of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for a red notice against the ex-lawmaker have been submitted to authorities.

Castro said the President is disappointed with the recent developments involving Co.

''Sinabi niya na disappointed siya... malapit na sana natin napauwi si Zaldy Co,'' Castro said in a briefing on Tuesday.  

(He said he was disappointed... we should have brought Zaldy Co home soon.)  —AOL/NB, GMA News