MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said information that former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co is in Paris came from a “highly regarded diplomatic source,” as the Philippine Embassy in France continues to monitor developments surrounding the case.

In a media report, it said that Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro made the statement during an open forum organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club, noting that the information could not be fully disclosed due to confidentiality.

“The information that he is in Paris came from a highly regarded diplomatic source, which I cannot reveal because it was said to us in confidence. However, the embassy now is really looking intently on that,” Lazaro said.

Co is reportedly seeking asylum in France, according to Malacañang, after arrest warrants were issued against him and 17 others over alleged anomalous flood control projects.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges before the Sandiganbayan against Co and his co-accused in connection with an alleged PHP289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Co has denied the allegations.

Lazaro said asylum matters are treated as sensitive under European Union rules, but assured that the Philippine government is pursuing legal steps.

“Asylum seekers and asylum issues is just a sensitive matter for Europe because it is EU regulations and this is their regulations. But rest assured that we are doing everything within the confines of the law on how to go about it,” she said.

She explained that asylum applications in France are processed by the Office Français de Protection des Réfugiés et Apatrides (OFPRA), and typically go through multiple stages including registration, examination, and possible appeal under EU procedures.

Lazaro also confirmed that Co’s diplomatic passport was cancelled in December 2025 following a Sandiganbayan order, while his regular Philippine passport had already expired in 2022.

The DFA previously said the cancellation of both passports was reported to Interpol.

According to Lazaro, Co was believed to have used an expired Philippine passport when he was recently intercepted in the Czech Republic while allegedly attempting to cross into Germany.

“I think what happened in Czech while he was crossing the German border he had an expired passport,” Lazaro said. “Expired Philippine passport and therefore how can you cancel an expired passport, it’s already cancelled it’s not usable, but this was what he had, that was what was caught in him.”

She also dismissed speculation that Co may be holding a French passport.

“No, he’s not a french national. He just has a 2022 expired Philippine passport. ‘Yun ang alam namin.”

“Who said that he has a French passport? He’s an asylum seeker, he’s not a French national,” she added.

Meanwhile, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sought clarification from French officials regarding Co’s reported release from Czech custody.

Castro said France did not provide further details during the meeting with French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, adding that the President expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome, describing it as “very unsatisfactory.”