Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with both the envoys of the Czech Republic and France, following the crossing of former Ako Bicol Partylist representative turned fugitive Zaldy Co from Prague to Germany.
In photos shared by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos met with the French Ambassador to the Philippines and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Czech Embassy on Wednesday, to seek clarification on Co’s status.
The President reportedly expressed his disappointment over the situation of the former lawmaker who is embroiled in multiple cases related to the government’s multi-billion peso flood control project.
Despite the government’s continued efforts, Co remains at large in Europe.
The President sought information on why Czech authorities released a fugitive.
Despite this, the Philippines’ relations with France and the Czech Republic remain strong.
According to the Malacañang Palace, the government will continue to work hard to bring the fugitive lawmaker back to the country to face the graft and malversation case filed against him.
The Czech Republic is also limited in the information it can provide due to international law.
But the Prague government has assured that they will help facilitate the repatriation of the former lawmaker.
The Palace assures that the government is not hiding anything about Co’s true status.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News