The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Tuesday strongly rebuked former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, rejecting his claims about the legal status of former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and branding them as disinformation.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro countered Roque’s assertion that Co was not under detention in the Czech Republic.
She stressed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and relevant agencies had already confirmed Co’s apprehension.
“Ang Pangulo ay nagsalita na… bakit natin paniniwalaan ang isang fake news peddler?” Castro said during a press briefing.
Roque had earlier described Co’s case as a minor “intervention” by Czech authorities, contradicting the government’s position that Co was formally arrested for illegal entry and is currently in foreign custody.
Malacañang reiterated that the public should rely only on verified updates from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and official diplomatic channels. The government is coordinating Co’s repatriation so he can face proceedings before Philippine courts.
Co has been declared a fugitive after failing to appear before the Sandiganbayan, where he faces charges linked to alleged irregularities in a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
Beyond labeling Roque’s claims as fake news, Castro said the administration is taking a firmer stance against misinformation.
She noted that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have the authority to independently investigate false claims, even without a direct order from the President.