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Zaldy Co arrest in Prague not related to Interpol red notice —NBI
The arrest of former congressman Zaldy Co in Prague, Czech Republic is not related to an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said.
The former lawmaker was instead arrested for an immigration violation, Matibag said, according to a report by Super Radyo reporter Carlo Mateo on Saturday.
Matibag said the NBI is ready should there be an order to repatriate Co back to the Philippines.
Co, the former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, was arrested in Prague on Thursday evening, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced.
"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.
Marcos on Friday said that Co was stopped at the German border after entering from Czech Republic.
He added that the Philippine government is in “close coordination with the Czech government to ensure that all legal processes are followed and to arrange for his return to the Philippines at the soonest possible time.”
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Co is being held at an immigration detention facility.
Remulla on Friday said Co may be returned to the Philippines “within a week or within a month.”To facilitate his return, the Philippines is pursuing two possible tracks: the issuance of an Interpol red notice and coordination with the Prague government for deportation.
“Parang wala (extradition treaty), we're checking pa. There are two factors to it. Una niyan, nag-apply na kami ng red notice para sa kanya sa Interpol as of November 2025. So, that is still in the process. Hinihintay namin na malabas. Kung mailabas yan, immediately, mababalik siya,” Remulla said.
(First of all, we have applied for a red notice for him at Interpol as of November 2025. So, that is still in the process. We are waiting for him to be released. If that is released, immediately, he will be back.)
A former Ako Bicol Party-list representative, Co is facing charges of graft and malversation in connection with the alleged substandard P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro built by Sunwest Corporation - a firm owned by his immediate family members.
READ: Who is Zaldy Co?
The Sandiganbayan earlier issued a warrant of arrest against Co. —KG, GMA News
