Metro Manila, Philippines – The government is considering options to secure the return of former lawmaker Zaldy Co from abroad, including extradition or repatriation, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Remulla said while no formal directive has yet been issued to file an extradition request, authorities believe Co is overseas, possibly in Portugal, based on unverified information.
“Yes, Zaldy Co is abroad. We suspect na nasa Portugal siya, ang information namin ay mayroon siyang Portuguese passport out of an immigration clause na inilagay nila. Ang information namin dito ay 10 years old, pero ibe-verify pa namin.”
[Translation: Yes, Zaldy Co is abroad. We suspect he is in Portugal. Our information is that he has a Portuguese passport through an immigration clause that was put in place. That information is 10 years old, but we will verify it.]
Remulla said there are discussions on the possibility of seeking Co’s return even though the Philippines does not have an extradition treaty with Portugal.
“Pero nagbigay ng instruction si president, formally, mag-apply na kami ng extradition treaty sa kanila, kahit wala pang formal extradition treaties between the two countries. Pero through the interpol, magre-request na kami ng repatriation ni Zaldy Co kung nasa Portugal talaga siya,” the Cabinet member said.
[Translation: But the president gave instructions that we formally apply for extradition with them, even if there is no formal extradition treaty between the two countries. But through Interpol, we will request the repatriation of Zaldy Co if he is indeed in Portugal.]
In an extradition, one country surrenders a person to another for prosecution or punishment, usually under a treaty. In the absence of a treaty, a requesting country may still seek assistance through diplomatic channels or request repatriation, subject to the laws and discretion of the host country and international cooperation mechanisms such as the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol.
In a separate interview, Remulla clarified that there is no direct order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to immediately pursue extradition.
“Hindi naman. It is part of the conversation na he is already considering,” he said.
[Translation: Not exactly. It is part of the conversation that he is already considering.]
He added that the Interior Department is not the lead agency for extradition proceedings.
Remulla said a request for extradition or legal assistance begins with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“Pero hindi pa direct order, pero it is also part of the conversation na iko-consider na gagawin na nila,” he said.
[Translation: But there is no direct order yet, though it is also part of the conversation that they will consider doing it.]
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has recommended that the ombudsman consider filing graft, malversation and falsification charges against Co and a number of officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways over their possible involvement in the alleged anomalous P289.5-million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The National Bureau of Investigation has urged the Department of Justice to pursue criminal charges against Co and other senators.
