MARCOS VOWS TO BRING ZALDY CO HOME

“WE will bring Zaldy Co home…to answer to the Filipino people.”

Thus declared President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday and assured the public that the government is taking all necessary and legal steps to bring home fugitive former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, one of the central figures in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.

“Nananatili po siya sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic at isinasagawa natin ang lahat ng mga kinakailangang hakbang para sa kanyang pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas,” the President said in a video message.

On April 16, 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.

“We will bring Zaldy Co home, and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” the President stressed.

President Marcos said he ordered the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the concerned international counterpart to ensure that the process is carried out properly and legally.

“Inutusan ko ang Department of Justice kasama ang Department of Foreign Affairs na pangunahan ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng Czech Republic upang matiyak na maayos at naaayon sa proseso ang lahat ng kinakailangan,” the President added.

The President said a high-level coordination team will also be deployed to closely monitor and facilitate the developments.

“Ang ganitong mga proseso ay may sinusunod na mga legal na hakbang sa pagitan ng mga bansa, kaya’t nangangailangan ng sapat na panahon upang maisagawa ng tama,” the President further said.