President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to receive additional information from Czech Republic Chargé d’Affaires Eva Tenzin and French Ambassador Marie Fontanel on why fugitive former AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co was released from detention in Prague.
Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed Thursday that Co had been detained, based on information relayed by Tenzin to Marcos during their meeting Wednesday in Malacañang.
“Mr. President, you are correct in your information that Zaldy Co was detained by Czech authorities due to invalid travel documents,” iyan ang mariing kinumpirma ng chargé d'affaires ng embahada ng Czech Republic sa Pilipinas na si Eva Tenzin kaugnay sa naunang pahayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na nahuli at na-detain si Zaldy Co at sumailalim sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic,” Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
However, Castro said the President expressed dismay over Co’s release.
“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 and national laws. At sabi po niya, kung puwede nga po na makahingi pa ng tulong mismo sa gobyerno ng Czech Republic sa mas marami pang impormasyon na maibibigay dahil nga po kahit na si Secretary Vida ang pumunta sa Czech Republic ay hindi na po nabigyan ng additional information. Pero ang tugon lamang po nila ay makikipagtulungan sila nang naaayon sa kanilang batas,” Castro said.
Castro stressed that despite limited information, diplomatic relations between the Philippines, the Czech Republic, and France remain intact.
On the pending red notice with the Interpol, Castro said it was not discussed during the meeting.
“Hindi po napag-usapan iyan. Wala po siyang (PBBM) hinihiling sa bansang France patungkol po sa red notice. Ang hiling lamang po niya, sana ya makapagbigay ng mas marami pang impormasyon at ipinagbigay-alam niya ang estado ni Me. Zaldy Co patungkol po sa hinaharap niyang kaso sa atin,” she said.
The red notice, which alerts law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and detain Co for possible extradition, is key to efforts to bring him back to face graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan.
Castro added that the President assured authorities would exhaust legal and diplomatic means to return Co to the Philippines.
Earlier, Malacañang said Co is seeking political asylum in France, citing alleged persecution if he returns to the country.