Following Reports that Zaldy Co Got Arrested, DOJ Issued Clarification
DOJ – The Department of Justice clarified that Zaldy Co was “not technically arrested” but his liberty is restrained in Czech Republic.
After announcing that the former Congressman Co was supposedly arrested by the Czech authorities, President Bongbong Marcos previously vowed that the government will bring back Zaldy Co and make him answer to the Filipino people. He is allegedly one of the big fishes behind the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption.
According to Marcos Jr., he has already ordered the DOJ and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to lead the communication with the Czech authorities to facilitate the return of Zaldy Co to the Philippines. The Chief Executive wants to follow the legal process.
“We will bring Zaldy Co home and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” Marcos Jr. said.
However, there are allegations that Zaldy Co was supposedly not arrested. Reports also stated that the Czech authorities refused to give details about the former Congressman. Recently, DOJ broke its silence over the matter.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez clarified that Zaldy Co was “not technically arrested” but his freedom was restrained in the Czech Republic. According to Martinez, it is similar to situations in the airport.
“For analogy, it’s similar to a situation in the airport where the person arrives and immigration denies entry or excludes the person. Technically, not arrested but there is a deprivation of liberty to a certain degree,” the DOJ Spokesperson said.
Based on the report, Justice spox Polo Martinez further expressed that an “official law enforcement action” transpired in Czechia a week ago. According to him, Zaldy Co is still within the jurisdiction of the Czech authorities but he did not clarified if he is currently detained or not.
Following the reports on the alleged arrest of the former Congressman, Ombudsman Boying Remulla claimed that they denied the request of former Speaker Martin Romualdez to travel to Singapore.
