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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Zaldy Co arrested in Prague, return to PH being arranged—Marcos

Zaldy Co arrested in Prague, return to PH being arranged—Marcos

Published Apr 16, 2026 10:05 pm
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)

After months of evading arrest, former lawmaker and businessman Zaldy Co has been arrested in Prague, Czech Republic, after allegedly crossing the border without proper documentation, President Marcos announced on Thursday evening, April 16.

“Nahuli na si Zaldy Co (Zaldy Co has been arrested),” the President said in a Facebook post.

He said Co is currently detained and under the custody of the Czech authorities.

According to the President, Co was apprehended after entering the Czech Republic without proper documents.

The Philippine government is now coordinating with Czech authorities regarding his case.

“We are in close coordination with the Czech government… to arrange for his return to the Philippines at the soonest possible time,” he said.

He added that the public will be updated as developments unfold.

Co reportedly left the Philippines in July last year for medical treatment, amid the flood control scandal. Following a directive to return, he resigned from the House of Representatives in September 2025.

In November last year, President Marcos ordered transport and aviation authorities to coordinate with counterparts in Malaysia and Singapore to track down helicopters and aircraft allegedly linked to Co, saying the government will not allow stolen public assets to be used to evade the law.

“You cannot steal from the Filipino people and expect to hide or fly away on your private jets,” Marcos said in a video message.

“You may have the money to run, but you cannot outrun the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.

Authorities had been monitoring his whereabouts following reports that he had traveled abroad while under investigation.

Before his arrest, Co was believed to have moved across multiple jurisdictions in Europe despite his Philippine passport being canceled in December last year. Malacañang said the Marcos administration was prepared to coordinate with Portugal or any other foreign government if it were proven that Co indeed possessed a Portuguese passport.

In a series of video uploads to Facebook, Co had alleged that President Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez received billions in kickbacks, claims that the Palace dismisses as fabricated blackmail. He likewise accused officials of authorizing P100 billion in 2025 budget insertions.

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President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Zaldy Co
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