Palace: Czech envoy won't give Marcos more details on Zaldy Co

Malacañang said Thursday the Czech Republic refused to provide further details regarding the circumstances surrounding former lawmaker Zaldy Co during a meeting with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.

Marcos met with French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and Eva Tenzin, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Czech Republic on Wednesday regarding Co's case. During the meeting, Tenzin confirmed to the President that Co was indeed held in custody due to invalid travel documents. 

'''Yun lamang po ang kinumpirma niya sa Pangulo, talagang nadetain si Zaldy Co sa Czech Republic dahil nga po sa invalid travel documents. At maliban pa po diyan, humihingi pa po ng iba pang pahayag or information ang ating Pangulo sa Czech Republic pero hindi na po napagbigyan ang Pangulo dahil sa may sinusunod ang Czech Republic na international law, European, at national laws,'' Castro said. 

(That's the only thing she confirmed with the President, that Zaldy Co was detained in Czech Republic due to invalid travel documents. Aside from that, the President sought further information from Czech Republic but it was denied as the latter is observing international, European, and national laws.) 

''Sabi po niya kung pwede nga po makahingi ng tulong mismo sa gobyerno ng Czech Republic para sa mas marami pang impormasyon na maibibigay dahil kahit nga po si Secretary Vida ang pumunta sa Czech Republic, hindi na po nabigyan ng additional information,'' she added. 

(He asked for more help from the government of Czech Republic as Secretary Vida was also not provided with additional information when he went to Czech Republic.) 

Castro mentioned that the opening statement of Tenzin to Marcos was: ''Mr. President, you are correct in your information that Zaldy Co was detained by Czech authorities due to invalid travel documents.'' 

Castro said France and the Czech Republic vowed to cooperate in accordance with the law.

READ: Who is Zaldy Co?

Dismayed

Meanwhile, Castro said Marcos was dismayed on Co being released from the custody of Czech authorities, describing the outcome as ''very unsatisfactory.'' 

Co is seeking asylum in France, citing political persecution. Castro, citing information from the Department of Foreign Affairs, said the former lawmaker is under the jurisdiction of French authorities.

To recall, it was Marcos who announced 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 Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida leading the team that coordinated 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 in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. 

Co has since maintained his innocence over these corruption allegations. — RSJ, GMA News