Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co is no longer in the custody of Czech authorities, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed Tuesday, even as the Philippine government continues efforts to locate and bring him back to the country to face corruption charges.
Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida made the announcement following a meeting with Czech officials in Prague.
“I have to share difficult news. Czech authorities have informed us that Mr. Zaldy Co is no longer in their custody,” Vida said in a briefing.
Vida said Philippine authorities moved swiftly upon learning of Co’s whereabouts, coordinating with international counterparts after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced that the former lawmaker had been apprehended in the Czech Republic for lacking proper travel documentation.
“From the moment we received information on his whereabouts, the Philippine government moved as quickly as we could. We coordinated with international authorities and the President dispatched this mission to Prague,” Vida said.
“We are working across sovereign borders. Every country has its own laws, processes and timelines, and we cannot compel a foreign government to act outside its legal framework. What we can do is work within those frameworks as aggressively as the law allows,” he added.
Despite the development, Vida said Co remains within the Schengen area, though his exact location is unknown.
“What we can confirm is that he is within the Schengen area. That is the workable intel that we have,” he said.
‘Disappointed’ with information gaps
Vida also expressed frustration over the limited information provided by Czech authorities during their nearly hour-long meeting.
“I am disappointed by the lack of knowledge. They expressed that they understand the gravity of the case and the Filipino public. I am confused about the legal parameters from which this is coming,” he said.
He added that Czech officials could not confirm where Co went after leaving their custody.
“After they confirmed that Co is not in the territory of the Czech Republic anymore, I asked, and they said they could not confirm,” Vida said.
Palace: Arrest report based on available facts
Malacañang maintained that the President’s earlier announcement was based on verified information at the time.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the April 16 statement was not premature.
“It is not premature, because that was the fact available — that Co was in the Czech Republic at that time,” Castro said.
In his earlier social media posts, Marcos said Co had been “caught” and detained in Prague after entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation.
“Nahuli na si Zaldy Co. He is now detained in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation and is currently in the custody of Czech authorities,” the President said.
He added that the government was in “close coordination” with Czech officials to facilitate Co’s return to the Philippines.
