The Philippines will send a high-level coordination team to the Czech Republic to bring former lawmaker Zaldy Co home.
In a video message on Monday, April 20, Marcos assured that Co will be brought back to the country and will answer to the Filipino people regarding allegations against him over the flood control scandal.
“We will bring Zaldy Co home, and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” Marcos said.
According to the President, Co remains in the custody of the Czech Republic authorities four days after his arrest in Prague.
“Nananatili po siya sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic at isinasagawa natin ang lahat ng kinakailangan hakbang para sa kayang pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas (He remains in the custody of the Czech Republic, and we are carrying out all necessary steps for his return to the Philippines),” Marcos said.
Marcos directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to lead the process of bringing the former Ako Bicol Partylist representative back to the country.
The agencies will lead the coordination with Czech Republic authorities “to ensure that everything is handled properly and in accordance with due process,” Marcos said.
He bared that a high-level coordinating team will be sent to the Czech Republic to closely monitor the situation.
The Chief Executive also explained that such processes follow legal procedures between countries, stressing that bringing him home requires sufficient time.
“Ang ganitong mga proseso ay may mga sinusunod na mga legal na hakbang sa pagitan ng mga bansa kaya’t nangangailangan ng sapat na panhon upang maisagawa ng tama (Processes like this follow legal procedures between countries, which is why they require sufficient time to be carried out correctly),” Marcos said.
On Thursday evening, Marcos announced Co’s arrest after months of evading arrest. He was apprehended after allegedly crossing the border without proper documentation.
