The Philippine government is standing firm on its announcement that fugitive former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co has been arrested in the Czech Republic, even as former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque publicly challenged the claim.
Presidential Communications Office Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro pushed back at a PCO briefing, questioning why anyone would take Roque’s word over that of the President and the Justice Secretary. “Ang Pangulo po ay nagsalita na, si Secretary Vida ay nagsalita na rin… So, bakit po ba natin paniniwalaan ang fake news peddler?” she said.
Roque had posted on Facebook that no arrest took place and that no Filipino was detained in Prague, directly contradicting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier announcement. “Fake news alert: Zaldy has not been arrested. No Filipino was apprehended in Prague. Bakit Presidente pa ang nagkakalat?” he wrote.
Co’s capture was said to have followed his being denied entry into Germany, after which he was intercepted in the Czech Republic, according to Marcos.
Department of Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, meanwhile, expressed confidence that Co would be successfully returned to the Philippines. “Dahil ang ating hinahabol, ang ating pinipilit na mapauwi sa atin, ay naakusahan sa usapin ng korapsyon. Ito ay isang confidence na kapag tinanong ninyo sa atin, ‘Bakit confidence si Secretary Vida?’ Ito po ‘yong isang pinanghahawakan, kasi alam natin na sa Czech Republic, hindi nila kinukunsinti ang korapsyon,” Vida said.
On the absence of photographs or footage confirming Co’s detention, Castro said the government was being deliberate given the involvement of a foreign country. “Kasi mayroon pong ibang country na involved. So, maingat po ang gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng anumang anunsyo. Hayaan na lamang po natin na magtrabaho ang ating gobyerno,” she said.
