Malacañang on Wednesday clarified that the pursuit of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co abroad is not solely the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), but involves a coordinated effort between diplomatic and law enforcement channels.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro explained that while the DFA handles state-to-state engagement, law enforcement agencies lead coordination with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
“Ang patungkol po sa operasyon sa Interpol ay nananatili po ito na trabaho po ng law enforcers natin,” Castro said.
The clarification followed a suggestion by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla that pursuing Co abroad was primarily the DFA’s responsibility.
The DFA, however, emphasized a “whole-of-government approach.”
“Secretary Remulla’s view that the matter rests solely up to the DFA does not fully capture this whole-of-government approach which requires joint action across concerned government agencies,” the DFA said in a statement read by Castro.
The agency noted that Co’s arrest and possible repatriation would necessitate coordinated law enforcement and judicial processes, particularly through Interpol mechanisms.
To date, there are no new leads on Co’s whereabouts. Castro said she would follow up with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime regarding requested Interpol assistance.