By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday confirmed that fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co is no longer under the custody of the Czech Republic and is now in France where he is seeking political asylum.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed “disappointment” over the failure to bring back Co to the Philippines, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Citing updates from Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Castro said Co left the Czech Republic following earlier immigration intervention.
“Sa kasalukuyan, kumpirmadong wala na sa kustodiya ng authorities si Zaldy Co (At present, it is confirmed that Zaldy Co is no longer under the custody of authorities),” Castro said.
She added that the DFA received “highly reliable information” that Co filed a petition for political asylum in France.
The President is seeking to meet with the Czech and French envoys to discuss developments and possible actions regarding Co’s status, Castro said.
“He has been requested to be transferred to and is now under the jurisdiction of French authorities,” Castro said, adding that all Philippine missions in Europe have been instructed to obtain official confirmation.
Co was previously stopped at the Czech-Germany border due to lack of proper travel documents and was placed under Czech custody.
Despite this, Castro emphasized that Marcos will not interfere in the legal processes of other countries.
The Palace also raised concern over what it described as a growing pattern of fugitives seeking asylum abroad to evade legal accountability.
Co, linked to anomalous flood control projects and alleged budget insertions, has not been seen in person since leaving the Philippines on July 2025 with a travel authority for medical purposes. (PNA)
