Fugitive former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co has finally been arrested but his apprehension by Czech au[horities has raised an even more puzzling predicament for the Philippine government.
Legl experts are pointing out that arresting the ex-lawmaker is one thing but sending him back to the Philippines is another issue that needs to be hurdled.
Co, one of the biggest names in the flood control corruption scandal, was nabbed in the Czech Republic’s capital city of Prague, where based on reports he is being held following a failed attempt to cross the border to Germany.
No less than President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. announced his arrest on Thursday, April 16. The President said Co was caught because he was stopped at the German border and sent back to his point of origin.
“Our coordination with Czech authorities continues. The latest information confirms that Zaldy Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic. He was denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody,” Mr. Marcos disclosed.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla Jr. added that Co was arrested for not having a passport when he entered Czechia. The resigned lawmaker was nabbed at around 3:00 in the afternoon, Manila time.
“He was subsequently detained on the charge of being an unwanted alien. Subsequently, the Philippine authorities were informed and the embassy is taking cognizance over it,” Remulla stated in an interview.
The fugitive former congressman’s passport had already been canceled by the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan in December which removed the former lawmaker’s legal basis for remaining in another country. The cancellation was triggered by the warrants of arrest against Co and his fellow accused for their graft and malversation cases pending before the Sandiganbayan.
Apart from announcing Co’s arrest and his whereabouts, the Marcos Jr. administration has yet to provide more specific details about the incident and what would be the government’s game plan to bring Co home. Still, Remulla hinted that they may go for the deportation route.
“I’m here to confirm that he has been arrested and that we are working towards his deportation to the Philippines,” he cited.
Aside from deportation, extradition could also be initiated on condition that an extradition treaty exists to invoke this.
Unfortunately, the Philippines and Czechia have no extradition treaty, but this doesn’t mean that Co cannot be extradited. Carranza said the country’s past engagements with the European country might come in handy.