President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the arrest of former lawmaker Zaldy Co in Prague, Czech Republic, following months of evasion amid corruption charges.
“Nahuli na si Zaldy Co,” Marcos said, adding that Co is now in custody after allegedly entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation.
The Philippine government is coordinating with Czech authorities for his possible return to the country.
Co left the Philippines in September 2025 for supposed medical treatment but failed to return as investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects intensified. He later resigned from the House of Representatives the same month.
On November 21, 2025, the Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants and a hold departure order against Co and several others over a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Authorities also sought an Interpol Blue Notice to track his whereabouts.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said Co’s passport could only be canceled upon receipt of a court order, as required under law.
He was subsequently tagged as a fugitive after repeatedly failing to appear in court proceedings.
Co is facing graft and malversation charges tied to a P289.5-million flood control project, along with other officials and contractors. Separate complaints have also linked him to alleged kickbacks involving infrastructure projects, which remain under investigation.
