MANILA — Fugitive businessman and former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has slipped out of Czech custody and has applied for asylum in France, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.
Co is now believed to be either now in France or moving freely within Europe’s Schengen zone, prompting intensified international efforts to track him.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida disclosed the development following talks with Czech authorities, who confirmed that Co is no longer under their custody, raising concerns over his mobility across multiple European borders.
“Czech authorities have informed us that Mr. Zaldy Co is no longer in their custody,” Vida said. “What we can confirm is that he is within the Schengen area. That is the workable intel that we have.”
In a press briefing yesterday, Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office also confirmed Co’s application for asylum in France, citing information relayed by the DOJ.
Authorities said Co likely exited Czech territory by land, with investigators tracing possible vehicle records, although specific operational details remain confidential.
“Definitely he was traveling by land… We got information as to the registry of the vehicle,” Vida said.
The DOJ chief revealed that Co had been using an expired Philippine passport but still possessed a valid Schengen visa, enabling him to travel across several European countries without border restrictions.
Philippine authorities are now coordinating with multiple foreign counterparts to locate Co, who has been tagged as a key figure in the alleged flood control fund anomaly.
Vida, however, acknowledged the limitations faced by Philippine authorities in securing detailed information due to stringent European privacy laws.
“We are working across sovereign borders. Every country has its own laws, processes and timeliens and we cannot compel a foreign government,” he said.
“They are taking a position… I tried to pry without being arrogant because that is the diplomatic way,” he added.
The DOJ is pushing for stronger cooperation mechanisms, including a possible police cooperation agreement, to improve intelligence-sharing with European states.
Vida admitted frustration over the situation.
“Frustrated? I would stick to confused,” he said. “I’m confused at the legal parameters where this is coming from.”
Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin Meñez said coordination efforts remain ongoing, noting that host countries give primacy to individual rights under their legal systems.
“You need to take the perspective of the Czech government that has placed high interest on the rights of the individual. It’s not just what another government may wish,” Meñez said.
The Philippine government is now seeking an Interpol red notice against Co to facilitate his arrest abroad.
“Kung may red notice, that serves as an arrest warrant,” Vida said.
Authorities, however, emphasized that enforcement of such notices depends on the discretion of each Interpol member state.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who earlier announced Co’s arrest on social media, has been briefed on the latest developments as efforts continue to locate and return the fugitive to face charges in the Philippines./PN
