After former lawmaker Zaldy Co was found to have left the Czech Republic, Malacañang revealed that he is now in France, where he is seeking political asylum.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro disclosed on Tuesday, April 28, that he has a pending petition for political asylum, according to a “highly-reliable” information from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“Sa kasalukuyan, kumpirmado na wala na sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic si Zaldy Co (At present, it is confirmed that Zaldy Co is no longer in the custody of the Czech Republic),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.
“Meanwhile, the DFA has received highly reliable information that Zaldy Co has a pending petition for political asylum in France. He has been requested to be transferred to and is now under the jurisdiction of French authorities,” Castro revealed.
“All missions in Europe have been instructed to obtain further official confirmation,” she added.
Co, according to Castro, he has cited “political persecution” as his reason for seeking asylum.
Castro also said that while Co is confirmed to be in France, he is not under the custody of any French authority.
France, however, asked him to be brought to France due to the pending application for asylum.
“Nasa France na po siya dahil doon po siya nag-file ng petition for asylum at hiniling po ng bansang France na dalhin si Zaldy Co sa France because of the pending petition for asylum (He is now in France because it was there where he filed for petition for asylum and France asked for Zaldy Co to be brought in the country),” Castro said.
The Palace official also clarified that Co is not being held in France.
“Hindi po siya nakakulong. Kailangan lang po siyang dalhin doon dahil mayroon siyang pending petition for asylum (He is not detained. He just needed to be brought there because he has a pending petition for asylum in France),” Castro explained.
“Ni-request po kasi ito ng bansang France pero kung papaano o kung sino ang naghatid hindi po ibinigay sa atin ang detalye (This was requested by France, but if how or who brought him there, the details were not provided to us),” Castro further said.
According to the Palace official, President Marcos is expected to meet with the French ambassador in the Philippines to discuss what actions must be taken to bring the former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative back to the country.
Co’s passport was cancelled in December last year when he was suspected of being in Portugal. He then tried to allegedly cross the border, but he was stopped by the Czech authorities due to documentation issues.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Fredderick Vida revealed on early Tuesday that Co is no longer in the hands of the Czech Republic authorities, which held him under custody.
Malacañang on Tuesday afternoon officially announced that Zaldy Co is no longer in the custody of the Czech authorities.
“Ngayong umaga natanggap na ng Malacañang ang kumpletong ulat mula kay Secretary of Justice Frederick Vida at Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro kaugnay ng kalagayan ni Zaldy Co. Batay sa kanilang high-level engagements sa mga opisyal ng Czech Republic at sa mga kinatawan ng European Union, malinaw na ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ay nakaangkla sa paggalang sa umiiral na mga batas ng EU at ng kani-kanilang member-states (This morning, Malacañang received the complete report from Justice Secretary Frederick Vida and Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro regarding the situation of Zaldy Co. Based on their high-level engagements with officials of the Czech Republic and representatives of the European Union, it is clear that the steps being taken are anchored in respect for existing EU laws and those of their respective member states),” Castro said.
“Ang ganitong mga usapin ay nangangailangan ng masinsinang diplomatikong proseso at koordinasyon sa pinakamataas na antas at ito mismo ang ating ginagawa mula nang matukoy na hawak siya ng Czech authorities kaugnay ng paggamit ng invalid documentation. Sa kasalukuyan, kumpirmadong wala na sa kustodiya ng Czech authorities si Zaldy Co (Such matters require a thorough diplomatic process and coordination at the highest level, and this is exactly what we have been doing since it was determined that he was being held by Czech authorities in connection with the use of invalid documentation. At present, it has been confirmed that Zaldy Co is no longer in the custody of the Czech authorities,” the Palace mouthpiece added.
Marcos won’t intervene in Co’s asylum bid
While the President is set to meet the French ambassador on Wednesday, April 29, Castro said it is unlikely that he would ask the envoy to prevent Co from acquiring political asylum.
“I don’t think so, the President will not do that, dahil hindi po niya panghihimasukan kung anuman po ang magiging desisyon ng ibang bansa (because he will not interfere in whatever decision another country makes),” Castro said.
While Co is in France, he is also not prevented to move around, even around Schengen area, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
