FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed molecules such as CO and NO was used to monitor the nature of cobalt centres in Co-containing aluminophosphates (AlPOs) and silicoaluminophosphates (SAPOs) with chabasite-like structures. The samples were synthesized by following a facile route during which the cobalt ions were directly inserted in the synthesis gels. These studies show that Co2+ ions are located in framework positions in CoAPO-34, where they substitute for some Al3+ ions, whilst in CoAPSO-34, where Si4+ ions replacing for some phosphorous lead to negative charges in the aluminophosphate framework, are contemporarily present both in framework and extra-framework positions. It is likely that, in the latter case, some cobalt ions act as counter ions compensating the negative structure.