Co will return if government assures safety — lawyer

If the government can assure the safety of resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, he will heed the call for him to go home.

This was according to his counsel, Atty. Ruy Rondain, who said his client is fearful that he would be killed in jail in the country.

However, Rondain said his client would come home if he is granted house arrest or bail and assured that he would be safe.

Earlier, Rondain said Co is adamant not to return because of threats to his life, and that he would not advise him to go home because of this.

Rondain also said they expected the filing of criminal charges against his client in connection with the alleged ghost flood control projects.

The government filed malversation and two counts of graft against Co related to an alleged substandard P289-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro built by Sunwest Construction, a firm owned by members of Co’s family.

Arrest warrants were issued against Co and 17 others by the Sandiganbayan in connection with the P289-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The former lawmaker previously served as the House appropriations panel chairperson from 2022 to 2024 before he resigned due to health reasons.

Calls for Co’s return were aired by the government for him to face the charges against him in connection with the flood control project anomalies.

Rondain said Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla promised to escort Co from the plane, have the police wear body cameras, and bring him to an armored vehicle.

However, the camp of Co said this is insufficient because of concerns about where he might be held, which could expose him to harm.

Rondain said his client might get shot while in detention, which is what they are fearing.