The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co is no longer under the custody of Czech authorities, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed, complicating efforts by the Philippine government to bring him home to face corruption charges. Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida disclosed the development following a meeting with Czech officials, saying authorities informed him that Co had been released. “I have to share difficult news. Czech authorities have informed us that Mr. Zaldy Co is no longer in their custody,” Vida said during a briefing. Vida said Co was believed to be staying within the Schengen area, but Czech authorities declined to provide details on his whereabouts, citing data privacy rules and the bloc’s open-border policies. “They’re citing Schengen rules and data privacy provisions,” he said. The justice chief added that Czech officials also pointed to the absence of a formal police cooperation agreement between the Philippines and the Czech Republic, although discussions to establish one are ongoing. Vida expressed frustration over the development after nearly an hour of talks with his counterparts. “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,” he said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on April 16 that Co had been arrested in Prague for allegedly entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation. Co is facing charges of corruption and malversation before the Sandiganbayan, filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in November 2025. The case stemmed from an alleged P289-million ghost flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, which also implicates officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways Region 4B and executives of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp. Philippine authorities said efforts were ongoing to locate Co and secure his return to face trial.
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