Metro Manila, Philippines – Fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co used an expired Philippine passport and likely crossed European borders by land, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said.
Vida said Co’s passport expired in September 2022 when authorities caught him, raising questions on how he moves within Europe.
“That was the one he was in possession with when he was accosted by the authorities,” Vida said, referring to the expired travel document.
He added that Co had been issued multiple passports in the past, including an official passport and another that was canceled by the government.
Philippine officials believe Co took advantage of open borders within Europe’s Schengen area, a free-travel zone across 29 European countries, including 25 EU states and four non-EU nations (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland)
“Definitely he was traveling by land,” Vida said, citing intelligence gathered during the government’s coordination with foreign counterparts.
He said authorities have information on the vehicle used and its driver, but declined to provide details, describing it as part of an ongoing operation.
Vida said efforts to track Co have been constrained by strict data privacy rules in Europe, limiting the information that can be shared with Philippine authorities.
“They can no longer furnish additional information,” he said, referring to Czech officials.
He explained that authorities cited Schengen regulations and data protection rules, as well as the absence of a police cooperation agreement, in declining to provide further details on Co’s movements, including when and how he left Czech territory.
The Czech Republic, where Co was last confirmed to be, shares land borders with Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia.
Vida said the use of an expired passport highlights gaps in enforcement, particularly in regions with minimal border controls.
He noted that while Co’s current Philippine passport has been canceled, this alone does not guarantee his immediate apprehension.
“They’re useless, ang cancelled passport kung walang red notice,” Vida said.
Co is facing graft, malversation, and other corruption-related charges in the country linked to the flood control scandal..
