PNP Speaks on Possible Return of Zaldy Co to PH
ZALDY CO – The Philippine National Police spoke on the process when the former Congressman would be back in the Philippines.
Countless Filipinos remain in the call for accountability over the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the Philippines. Several officials of the government were tagged in the flood control mess.
Amid many members of the House of Representatives and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as well as some senators and former senators being tagged in the flood control scam, the Filipino people conducted the “Trillion Peso March”.
Thousands of Filipinos joined the street protests. One of the accused in the flood control mess is former House of Representatives’ Budget Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co.
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently announced that Zaldy Co has been arrested and is now detained in Prague. The former Congressman stayed out of the country amid the massive flood control allegations against him.
Instead of returning to the Philippines, Co accused Marcos Jr. and presidential cousin and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of alleged involvement in the flood control and budget insertion issues. The Palace denied the allegation against the Chief Executive.
According to Atty. Claire Castro, the press officer undersecretary of Malacañang, Zaldy Co allegedly wants the investigation to stop so he tagged the President. The government moved for the cancellation of the Philippine passport of the former Congressman.
Recently, amid the silence of the Czech Republic on the reported arrest and detention of Zaldy Co, the Philippine National Police claimed that they are already preparing for the possibility of his return to the Philippines. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, PNP spokesperson Randulf Tuaño laid out the procedures.
According to Tuaño, when he’s back in the Philippines, Zaldy Co will be under the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who will turn over him to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Based on the report, from the DILG, Co will eventually be turned over to the PNP. He will have to undergo the police process and then, after it, it is the court that will determine what would be the next step.
“Kaagad na ididiretso dito sa CIDG, saka ipo-proseso katulad ng pagfi-fingerprint, medical and physical examination. At matapos ang mga nasabing examinations, ay agad dadalhin sa Sandiganbayan para i-return ‘yung warrant,” the PNP Spox said.
Amid the doubts surrounding the reported arrest and detention of the former Congressman in Prague, through a video message, Pres. Bongbong Marcos assured that the government is taking the steps to bring Zaldy Co home to the Philippines and let him answer to the Filipino people.
