Metro Manila, Philippines – Fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co is on the run again and is believed to be somewhere within Europe’s Schengen zone, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said Tuesday, April 28.
“Czech authorities have informed us that Mr. Zaldy Co is no longer in their custody,” Vida said following meetings with Czech officials.
He added that Co “is no longer within the territory of the Czech Republic” and confirmed that he is “not detained,” effectively making him free.
“With that information, what we can confirm is that he is within the Schengen area,” Vida said. The justice chief added that authorities could not determine his exact location due to data privacy restrictions and the absence of certain cooperation agreements.
The Schengen area is a free-travel zone across 29 European countries, including 25 European Union (EU) states and four non-EU nations (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a week earlier that Co had been placed under Czech jurisdiction for alleged immigration violations.
Vida defended the president’s earlier statement, saying it was based on verified information at the time.
“When our president made that announcement, that was the facts available,” he said but stopped short of saying who provided the information that led the president to say Co was apprehended.
“I really don’t know the sources of the president,” Vida said when asked who informed the Philippine government about Co’s status.
He explained that Czech authorities confirmed Co was within their jurisdiction on April 16, but declined to provide further details on how or when he left.
Officials believe Co may have crossed borders.
“Definitely he was traveling by land,” Vida said. He added that authorities have information on the vehicle used and its driver but declined to disclose details, citing ongoing operations.
The Czech Republic shares land borders with Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia, all part of the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel across most member states.
Vida said the Philippine government is now relying on an Interpol Red Notice application filed in November to help track and possibly secure Co’s arrest.
“Once issued, the Red Notice would enable any member country to detain and return him through extradition or deportation,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that without the notice, enforcement options remain limited.
“They’re useless, ang cancelled passport kung walang red notice,” he said, referring to Co’s reportedly canceled Philippine passport.
The justice chief also cited challenges in coordinating across jurisdictions, saying the Philippines cannot compel foreign governments to act outside their legal frameworks.
“We are working across sovereign borders. Every country has its own laws, processes, and timelines,” Vida said.
He added that both the Philippines and the Czech Republic have agreed to begin negotiations on a mutual legal assistance treaty, an extradition treaty, and a transfer of sentenced persons agreement.
Despite the setback, Vida expressed confidence that Co would eventually be brought back to the Philippines to face charges.
“Kung maibabalik ba siya sa Pilipinas… 99%,” he said when asked about the likelihood of Co’s return.
Co is facing graft, malversation, and other corruption-related charges in connection with flood control projects.
The Department of Justice said efforts to locate and return him will continue through all available legal channels.
