The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co cannot be detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame upon his return to the country, as the facility is already slated for demolition, a PNP official said Monday. “The Custodial Center can no longer accommodate anyone apprehended by the PNP because it has already been condemned,” PCol. Randulf Tuaño, PNP Public Affairs chief, told reporters during a press briefing. He said that once Co undergoes physical and medical processing, he will be brought immediately to the Sandiganbayan for the return of the warrant—all within the same day—after which the court will decide where the former congressman will be detained. Tuaño added that the possibility of Co being held at the Custodial Center is now “moot and academic.” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said Co would be brought to the PNP upon his return to the Philippines, noting that he would personally serve as the arresting officer and accompany the former lawmaker to the Sandiganbayan and to the PNP for processing to determine his fitness for trial. The PNP also assured transparency throughout the process—from Co’s arrival in the Philippines and transfer to Camp Crame to his physical and medical examination and the return of the warrant to the Sandiganbayan, Tuaño said. Authorities also assured Co’s safety while in custody. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced last week that Co was arrested in Prague after attempting to cross into the Czech Republic without proper travel documents. Remulla said Co could be repatriated within one to three weeks, depending on the completion of processes led by the Department of Foreign Affairs. However, he noted that complications may arise, as the deportation order is based on a canceled passport rather than a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
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