Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has apologized for his earlier statement regarding the case of fugitive former congressman Elizaldy Co. Remulla had previously claimed that Co could be brought back to the Philippines within one to three weeks after reports emerged that he was detained in the Czech Republic.
Secretary Admits Mistake
In a statement, Remulla acknowledged that he erred in assuming that the repatriation process for individuals lacking travel documents in other countries is the same as in the Philippines. He expressed regret for the inaccurate assessment and clarified that the procedures vary significantly across jurisdictions.
Background of the Case
Co was arrested after entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation. He is considered a key figure in the multibillion-peso flood control controversy. However, the Department of Justice confirmed on Tuesday morning that Co is no longer in the custody of Czech authorities. The circumstances surrounding his release remain unclear.
The Interior chief’s apology comes amid scrutiny over the government's handling of the case and the accuracy of information provided to the public. Remulla assured that his department will coordinate closely with international partners to ensure proper legal processes are followed.
