Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said former lawmaker Zaldy Co remains under the custody of Czech authorities, as the Philippine government prepares to send a high-level delegation to facilitate his return.
“Nananatili po siya sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic at isinasagawa natin ang lahat ng mga kinakailangang hakbang para sa kanyang pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas,” Marcos said in a video statement on Monday, April 20.
[Translation: He remains in the custody of the Czech Republic and we are undertaking all necessary steps for his return to the Philippines.]
The president said he has directed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to lead coordination with Czech authorities.
“Inutusan ko ang Department of Justice kasama ang Department of Foreign Affairs na pangunahan ang pakikipag-ugnayan… upang matiyak na maayos at naayon na proseso ang lahat,” he said.
[Translation: I have directed the Department of Justice together with the Department of Foreign Affairs to lead coordination to ensure that all processes are proper and in accordance with the law.]
Marcos added that a high-level coordination team will be dispatched to focus on the effort.
The president explained that the process will take time due to legal procedures between countries.
“Ang ganitong mga proseso ay may sinusunod na mga legal na hakbang kaya’t nangangailangan ng sapat na panahon,” Marcos said.
[Translation: These processes follow legal steps between countries… and therefore require sufficient time.]
“We will bring Zaldy Co home, and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” he added.
Marcos earlier confirmed that Co was arrested in Prague, Czech Republic after months of evading authorities.
“Nahuli na si Zaldy Co,” the President said, noting that the former lawmaker allegedly entered the country without proper documentation.
In a separate update, Marcos said Co was later stopped at the German border and returned to Czech custody, where he remains detained.
“Our coordination with Czech authorities continues,” he said.
Fugitive status, pending cases
Co left the Philippines in June 2025 for what was described as a medical checkup but failed to return as investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects intensified.
He resigned from the House of Representatives in September amid mounting scrutiny.
On Nov. 21, 2025, the Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants and a hold departure order against Co and several others over a P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, later declaring him a fugitive from justice.
Authorities also sought an Interpol Blue Notice to track his whereabouts after he failed to appear in court proceedings, while his passport was eventually canceled following legal processes.
Co faces graft and malversation charges, along with separate complaints linked to alleged kickbacks in infrastructure projects.
