PH sees deportation as fastest route to bring back Zaldy Co

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine government is eyeing deportation as the fastest way to secure the return of fugitive and resigned Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co from the Czech Republic, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official said Saturday. DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said authorities were weighing two legal pathways to bring Co back to the country: extradition, which typically involves prolonged judicial proceedings, and deportation, which can be carried out more swiftly. “Extradition is usually a longer process. Deportation is faster, especially if the person is found to be an undocumented alien,” Vasquez said in an interview. Co was reportedly arrested for immigration violations after his Philippine passport had been canceled, effectively rendering him an undocumented foreign national in the Czech Republic. The cancellation was tied to his status as a fugitive, with an existing warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan in connection with corruption charges. Despite the absence of an extradition treaty between the Philippines and the Czech Republic, Vasquez said this did not prevent authorities from pursuing Co’s return. “There may be no extradition treaty, but that does not prevent deportation,” he said, noting that host countries can remove undocumented foreigners under their domestic laws. Vasquez added that cooperation was expected between Manila and Prague under the United Nations framework, particularly the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, to which both countries are signatories. The convention encourages international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases, including facilitating the return of individuals facing charges. The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently coordinating with Czech authorities to expedite the process.

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