The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday that the regular passport former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co might have used to leave the Czech Republic for Germany had expired in 2022.

“With regard to his other regular passport, which expired in September 2022 and which may have been used by Mr. Co to cross to Germany from the Czech Republic, this need not be cancelled since its expiration rendered it unusable for international travel,” it said.

It reiterated that Co’s regular and diplomatic passport had been cancelled back in December 2025 as well, pursuant to a court order.

The cancellation of his passport was immediately reported to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), it said in a statement.

In a Tuesday press conference, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the former lawmaker is now in France and has filed a petition for political asylum. The French government recently requested Co’s transfer to its jurisdiction due to his asylum application.