Zaldy Co no longer in Czech custody, says DOJ

PRAGUE — Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who is wanted in the Philippines on charges of corruption and malversation of public funds in connection with an alleged ghost flood control project, is no longer in the custody of Czech authorities, acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said on Monday.

Vida, thus said, after he met with Czech officials days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., announced on his social media accounts that Co had been caught without proper documentation, and placed in the custody of the Czech Republic.

"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 news briefing.

The acting justice secretary said Co is still in the Schengen area.

“We are working across sovereign borders,” Vida said.

'Disappointed'

Vida said he had a nearly hour-long meeting with his Czech counterparts on Monday afternoon in Prague, and tried to gather information about Co.

Asked about the meeting, Vida said he was “disappointed.”

“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," Vida said.

“The sources are taking positions, and I try to pry without being arrogant. 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.

Vida on Sunday said the Philippine government would not return “empty-handed” from its trip to the Czech Republic, as officials move to clarify the status of former congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and pursue steps for his possible return to face charges in the Philippines.

On Monday morning, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos’s April 16 announcement of Co’s detention 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.

READ: Who is Zaldy Co?

‘Nahuli na’

Marcos, on April 16, announced that Co, one of the key figures in the massive corruption that affected flood control projects in the country, had been detained in Prague. The President made the confirmation in posts on his Facebook and X accounts.

“Nahuli na si Zaldy Co (Zaldy Co has been caught). 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 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.”

The following day, Marcos said Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic and that the Philippine government continues to coordinate with Czech officials.

“Our coordination with Czech authorities continues. The latest information confirms that Zaldy Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic,” Marcos said in a social media post. 

“He was denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody,” he added.

READ: Zaldy Co's video exposés on alleged budget insertions

‘Reportedly with family’

Co was reportedly with his family when they were stopped for a random check at the border as they entered Germany from the Czech Republic.

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras,” a source said Co and his family were in a car with French license plates, driven by a French driver, when they went through the border checkpoint.

Germany’s more stringent border control, marked by temporary and random checks, was supposed to last only until the first week of April but was extended until September 15.

It was not clear who among his family was with Co, but they were among those subjected to the random border checks by the German authorities. Without their travel documents, they were sent back to the Czech Republic. 

The Ombudsman in Nobember 2025 filed before the Sandiganbayan corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co, several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 4B, and Sunwest Corporation directors in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Government prosecutors said that the P289 million non-existent flood control project built by Sunwest Corporation, a firm owned by Co's immediate family members, is substandard. — JMA/NB, GMA News