Where exactly is Co? PH team still asking upon Prague arrival
The exact location of former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co in Prague became a puzzle for Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and his team when they arrived in the Czech Republic’s capital on Friday.
At a press briefing via Zoom on Friday night (Manila time), Vida acknowledged that it was “possible” that Co had already been released from the Czech authorities’ custody as they had not given their Philippine counterparts any update on his status.
“There’s no such guarantee but you need to respect their laws,” he said when asked whether Co’s movement within the European Union remained restricted after he was held at the border of Germany and Czech Republic.
Last info came April 21
Vida led the Philippine delegation sent to Prague to facilitate the immediate return of Co to the country, where he faces criminal charges in connection with the flood control scandal. The justice secretary was expected to be joined by representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC).
The secretary said information obtained by his team about Co had changed day by day. The last advisory that the former lawmaker remained “within the jurisdiction” of Czech Republic reached him on Tuesday—when he was still in Manila—and nothing had been added since.
Any status update was not expected on Saturday as the Philippine delegation had yet to meet or schedule a discussion with the Czech justice ministry. Vida said he hoped to have that meeting on Monday.
So far, he said, the Department of Justice was looking at deportation as the “fastest” route for bringing Co back to the Philippines.
‘Red notice’ option
But in the event that Co had already been released after being detained by Czech immigration, the red notice that the Philippine government applied for from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) remained a feasible option for securing Co, he said.
Vida said there was also no update yet regarding the red notice request filed by the PCTC with the Interpol in November last year. The request was made after the Sandiganbayan issued three warrants for Co’s arrest in connection with graft and malversation charges.
“Some of our team (members) will be coming in this weekend and they will be bringing in documents that we know may still be needed for the successful issuance of the red notice,” he said.
