Malacañang clarified that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla's estimate of fugitive Zaldy Co returning to the Philippines in one to three weeks was his personal view. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said it does not reflect President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s or the Palace's position. The government also confirmed Co is seeking asylum in France after his release from Czech custody.
MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla's estimate that fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co could return to the Philippines in two to three weeks was solely his personal view. "Yung sinabi po ni Secretary Jonvic na maaaring mapauwi in two to three weeks, galing lamang po ito kay Secretary Jonvic Remulla," Castro said at a press briefing on Tuesday, April 28. "Hindi po ito pronouncement ng pangulo at hindi rin po ito pronouncement ng palasyo," she added.
Remulla apologized for his assessment, admitting he mistakenly assumed the repatriation process for those with insufficient travel documents was the same as in the Philippines. "It was my mistake to assume that the process of repatriating individuals with insufficient travel documents were the same as that of the Philippines. Apparently they are not the same. My mistake," he said, as quoted in an ABS-CBN report. He had previously stated Co could be deported within one to three weeks after his reported detention in the Czech Republic for immigration violations.
Authorities have confirmed Co is no longer in Czech custody due to the lack of an Interpol red notice at the time of his apprehension for his non-bailable malversation case tied to flood control corruption. Malacañang disclosed that Co is now in France seeking political asylum, complicating efforts to bring him back.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson blamed the government for the release, calling it a lost opportunity. "Simply put, it was a lost opportunity and our government has nobody to blame except itself," Lacson said. He urged the government's coordination team in the Czech Republic to reverse the mistake and secure Co's return to testify in Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings on flood control kickbacks.
