Malacañang on Monday defended President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.’s earlier statement regarding the reported situation of former congressman Zaldy Co in the Czech Republic, saying there was no error in the President’s remarks and no use of the term “arrested.”

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said the President’s statement during his April 16 announcement was accurate, stressing that the term used was “nahuli” and not “arrested.”

“Kapag sinabi natin na nahuli na si Zaldy Co, it doesn't necessarily mean na it is an arrest. Ang ‘nahuli’ na salita ay very general, pwede nating sabihin na ‘napahinto, nai-stop, na-prevent sa pagkilos,” Castro said.

She added: “Hindi mali ang Pangulo sa kaniyang iniulat noong April 16.”

She added that there was no need for correction from the Palace, as the President did not use the word “arrested” in his statement and should not be attributed to him.

“Hindi nanggaling kay pangulo ‘yung word na arrested, so walang iko-correct ang pangulo sa kanyang mensahe,” she added.

The Palace officer said any confusion stemmed from the interpretation of the word “nahuli,” which can vary depending on context and jurisdiction.

According to Castro, the Czech Republic also has stricter usage of legal terms, particularly on “arrest,” and may not use it in the same way as it is commonly used in the Philippines.

“Iba po ang termino na ginamit ng Czech Republic hindi po nila–sa kanila po, hindi po dapat magamit ang salitang aresto sa kanilang bansa,” she said.

She added that in Philippine usage, “nahuli” is often interchangeably understood in mainstream media reports as “naaresto,” but this does not necessarily apply in other countries.

Castro maintained that the government acted properly in releasing information about Co’s status.

“Sabi nga natin sa bawat kilos ni Zaldy Co at nalaman ng gobyerno, mas magandang ipaalam sa inyo kaysa sa iba ninyo pa malaman. Kapag nalaman namin at hindi namin inanunsiyo, sasabihin ninyo naman sa amin, ‘Bakit hindi inanunsiyo?’ So, mas magandang ianunsiyo namin pero hindi namin sinabi agad na mahuhuli kaya nga ang sabi dito, nakikipag-coordinate ang Pilipinas sa Czech Republic,” she said.

Castro did not disclose the source of the initial information provided to the President, but assured the public that proper due diligence was observed.

“Sa ngayon po ay hindi ako makakapagsalita kung sino ang nagbigay sa kaniya ng report na ito. Pero maingat po ang Pangulo sa pagbibigay ng anunsiyo sa ating taumbayan, kaya huwag ipahid sa Pangulo ang salitang aresto dahil hindi po niya iyan ginamit,” Castro noted.

The Palace official further dismissed claims that Marcos became a source of misinformation, insisting that the administration did not state that Co was arrested.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier clarified that Co has not been arrested, noting that there is no warrant of arrest enforceable in the Czech Republic.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said, “Let’s do away with the word ‘arrest.’ The Czech Republic cannot lawfully arrest Zaldy Co because he has no outstanding warrant there.”

In the latest development, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said there is a possibility that Co may no longer be in the Czech Republic.

When asked if the administration remains hopeful about the former lawmaker’s return to the Philippines, Castro said the government remains optimistic.

“Sino ba naman ang hindi dapat maging hopeful? Lahat tayo dapat hopeful. Ang gusto natin ay maiuwi dito si Zaldy Co at iyon ang nais ng Pangulo,” she said.