Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine government has told France that fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co is not a victim of political persecution, as Manila pushes for his return amid his reported bid for asylum.
Philippine Ambassador to France Eduardo De Vega told NewsWatch Plus that authorities have relayed Co’s legal situation to French officials, stressing that the charges he faces stem from corruption allegations tied to the flood control scandal.
De Vega said the Philippines recognizes France’s sovereignty and legal processes, including its handling of asylum applications — a process that limits what Philippine authorities can do on the ground.
“Dahil sa soberanya ng France, hindi puwedeng basta-basta mahuli ng mga opisyal ng Pilipinas doon,” De Vega said.
[Translation: Because of France’s sovereignty, Philippine officials cannot simply arrest him there.]
He added that even with an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan, enforcement cannot extend beyond Philippine jurisdiction.
“The warrant of arrest from Sandiganbayan does not apply outside Philippine territory, so everything must be done through the French authorities,” De Vega said.
French authorities have yet to confirm the status of Co’s asylum application, citing strict confidentiality rules.
Malacañang earlier said France is aware of Co’s status as a fugitive.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raised the issue directly during his meeting with French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel.
“Ang bungad po ng Pangulo ay patungkol sa estado ni Zaldy Co na isang fugitive na dapat may panagutan sa ating bansa,” Castro said.
[Translation: The President opened the discussion by referring to Zaldy Co’s status as a fugitive who must face accountability in our country.]
Castro said the French envoy acknowledged Co’s situation.
“Naiintindihan po niya na si Mr. Zaldy Co ay isang pugante at kinakailangang humarap sa accountability,” she added.
[Translation: She understood that Mr. Zaldy Co is a fugitive who must face accountability.]
However, Castro said the French ambassador could not provide further details on Co’s asylum case without proper authorization.
“As far as she is concerned, wala siyang maibibigay na impormasyon hangga’t hindi siya authorized,” Castro said.
Co is believed to be in France after leaving Czech Republic custody, where he had been held due to invalid travel documents.
The Czech Republic’s chargé d’affaires to the Philippines, Eva Tenzin, earlier confirmed to President Marcos that Co had been detained over the use of invalid documents.
The president has since expressed disappointment over Co’s release and sought clarification from both French and Czech officials.
