President Marcos meets Czech, French envoys over Zaldy Co

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos met with envoys from France and the Czech Republic, as the government intensifies its efforts to bring former congressman Zaldy Co back to the country to face allegations of pocketing billions of pesos meant for flood control projects.

Marcos held separate meetings yesterday with French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and Czech Republic Chargé d’ Affaires Eva Tenzin at Malacañang. Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro was present in the two meetings.

Co reportedly fled to France and the Czech Republic to evade arrest.

In a statement yesterday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos, during the meetings, expressed disappointment that Co remains at large in Europe despite the Philippines’ efforts to bring him home to face charges.

The President requested further information as to what transpired and why Co was released from custody by the Czech authorities, PCO added.

“Moving forward, he remains hopeful of future police, legal and judicial cooperation, so that once and for all Zaldy Co is brought back to Phl to face justice,” PCO said.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida went to Prague last week, where Co was reportedly held on immigration violations.

However, the Department of Justice and Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday that Co was no longer in the Czech Republic, disappointing many – including the President – who wanted to see Co face justice.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a media briefing on Tuesday that Co was seeking political asylum in France on the grounds of “political persecution.”

The President will not intervene in Co’s asylum bid, she said.

Castro added that Co is allowed to move around the Schengen area, which consists of 29 European countries.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has apologized for declaring that Co could be back in the country in a matter of weeks.

Remulla admitted he was wrong in assuming that the process of repatriating people with incomplete travel documents from the Czech Republic was similar to the rules of the Philippines. — Emmanuel Tupas