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Ghio Ong - The Philippine Star
April 25, 2026 | 12:00am
Flood control scam suspect and resigned lawmaker.
Zaldy Co STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — While maintaining that former lawmaker and fugitive Zaldy Co is in the custody of authorities in the Czech Republic, the Department of Justice yesterday clarified that Co was “not technically arrested.”
Reports on social media quoted DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez as saying in an interview Thursday that “the Czech Republic cannot lawfully arrest Zaldy Co because of course he has no outstanding warrant, the warrant exists here in the Philippines, rather, the case is pending here in the Philippines.” rather, the case is pending here in the Philippines.”
In clarifying such statement, Martinez asserted in his message to reporters yesterday, “Zaldy Co was the subject of official law enforcement action by Czech authorities. Latest report we have is he is still within the jurisdiction of Czech authorities.”
“An intervention involving Zaldy Co took place in Czech Republic – this fact was wholly ascertained and remains undisputed,” he added.
Martinez said further that “while he was not technically arrested, his liberty was restrained.”
He also said Co was “merely held for possible violation of immigration regulations.”
Martinez also pointed out the DOJ “(does) not know yet the specific details of the intervention conducted on his person there” and that it would “find out soon enough” if he is being held by Czech authorities.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan, along with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, left the country on April 23 and are expected to meet their counterparts in Prague to discuss how Co will be able to face his cases back home.
No contradiction
There was no contradiction between the statements of President Marcos and the DOJ regarding the case of Co, Malacañang said.
“The President’s and SOJ Vida’s statements were clear. There is no contradiction whatsoever. The word arrest did not come from the President,” Castro told reporters via Viber.
“What the President said was Zaldy Co is under the custody of the Czech Republic due to lack of proper documentation,” Castro said. — Helen Flores
