The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it immediately notified INTERPOL after the passports of fugitive former congressman Zaldy Co were canceled in December 2025.
In a statement, the DFA said Co’s regular and diplomatic passports were revoked following a court order, prompting the agency to alert international law enforcement authorities.
“This was immediately reported to INTERPOL,” the DFA said.
The agency clarified that another regular passport allegedly used by Co to travel from Germany to the Czech Republic had already expired in September 2022 and no longer required cancellation.
Co was earlier reported to have been denied entry into the Czech Republic due to incomplete or improper documentation.
Philippine authorities were dispatched to the Czech Republic to explore a possible turnover, but efforts fell through after reports on Monday indicated that Co was no longer in Czech custody.
Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Co remains within the Schengen area.
Malacañang confirmed that Co is now under the custody of France and is seeking political asylum.
“He has been requested to be transferred to and is now under the jurisdiction of French authorities. All missions in Europe have been instructed to obtain further official confirmation,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
