Zaldy Co's liberty was restrained, not technically arrested — DOJ

Former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co was not technically arrested by Czech authorities, but his liberty was restrained for possible violation of Immigration regulations, Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said Friday.

“For analogy, it’s similar to a situation in the airport where the person arrives and immigration denies entry or excludes the person. Technically, not arrested but there is a deprivation of liberty to a certain degree,” Martinez told the media.

Martinez said this is because the term arrest has a “legal technical definition.”

“Latest report we have is he is still within the jurisdiction of Czech authorities,” he said.

READ: Who is Zaldy Co?

For their part, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not use the term “arrest.” 

“Ang sabi ng Pangulo ay nasa kustodiya ng Czech Republic si Zaldy Co dahil sa kakulangan sa proper documentation. Nahuli si Zaldy Co due to immigration concerns,” she said.

(The President said that Zaldy Co is in the custody of the Czech Republic due to lack of proper documentation. Zaldy Co was apprehended due to immigration concerns.)

In announcing Co’s apprehension, Marcos said, “nahuli na si Co” and that he was “currently in the custody of Czech authorities.”

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan, and others departed for the Czech Republic for a formal dialogue with their counterparts to explore legal avenues for Co's return, including deportation. 

Martinez said they could not determine how long the officials will be there.

Castro previously said the administration is confident that Co would be brought back to the country.

The former lawmaker is facing charges of graft and malversation in connection with an alleged substandard P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

He has denied the allegations against him.

In March, the Sandiganbayan upheld its declaration that Co is a fugitive from justice. — RSJ, GMA News