Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the arrest of former lawmaker Zaldy Co in Prague, Czech Republic, after months of evasion following corruption charges.
“Nahuli na si Zaldy Co [Zaldy Co has been arrested],” Marcos said, adding that Co is now in custody after allegedly entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation.
The government is now coordinating with Czech authorities for his possible return to the Philippines.
Co left the Philippines in September 2025, citing medical treatment abroad, but failed to return as investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects intensified.
Amid mounting scrutiny, he resigned from the House of Representatives on the same month.
On November 21, 2025, the Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants and a hold departure order against Co and several others over a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
Authorities later sought an Interpol Blue Notice to track his whereabouts as he remained outside the country.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said his passport could only be canceled upon receipt of a court order, as required under the law.
Co was subsequently tagged as a fugitive after repeatedly failing to appear in court proceedings.
Co is facing graft and malversation charges tied to a P289.5-million flood control project, along with other officials and contractors.
Separate complaints have also linked him to alleged kickbacks involving infrastructure and flood control projects, now under investigation by authorities.
