Fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co now in France, seeking political asylum – Palace

Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday that former lawmaker Zaldy Co is no longer in the custody of the Czech Republic and is currently in France, where he is seeking political asylum.

According to Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed disappointment on the failure to return Co to the Philippines.

In a news release posted on the Philippine News Agency, Castro said, “Sa kasalukuyan, kumpirmadong wala na sa kustodiya ng authorities si Zaldy Co (At present, it is confirmed that Zaldy Co is no longer under the custody of authorities),” Castro said.

Based on updates from Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro,  Castro said Co has left the Czech Republic following a recent immigration intervention.

Castro noted that the DFA received "highly reliable information" indicating that has filed a petition for political asylum in France.

She said the President is seeking a meeting with the Czech and French envoys to discuss recent developments and potential actions regarding Co’s status.

“He has been requested to be transferred to and is now under the jurisdiction of French authorities,” Castro said.

All Philippine missions in Europe have been instructed to obtain official confirmation on information about Co, she added.

Co was recently reported to have been stopped at the Czech-Germany border due to a lack of proper travel documents and was placed under Czech custody.

Castro denied claims that the Palace made a premature announcement about Co's arrest.

She emphasized that the term "arrest" was not used by the President.

“Hindi po ito mali. Hindi po nanggaling sa Pangulo mismo ang salitang ‘aresto’,” she said.

The Department of Justice has noted that while Co's movements were restrained, the terminology used differs between the Czech Republic and the Philippines.

The Palace official explained that the Czech Republic does not use the term “arrest” in the same way as in the Philippines.

She said the government moved to adjust its wording once this was clarified out of respect for foreign protocols.

“Kung may pagkakaiba ba na terminolohiya na ginagamit ang bansang Czech Republic at ang Pilipinas, igalang po natin iyon,” Castro said.

The Palace official emphasized that the Marcos administration will not interfere in the legal processes of other countries.

However, the Palace also expressed concern regarding a growing pattern of fugitives seeking asylum abroad to evade legal accountability.

Following the reports linking them to anomalous flood control projects and alleged budget insertions, Co has not been seen in person since departing the Philippines in July 2025 under a travel authority for medical purposes.

-Paraluman News