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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Zaldy Co was arrested due to immigration concerns

Palace: Zaldy Co was arrested due to immigration concerns

Published Apr 24, 2026 01:27 pm
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Malacañang has clarified that there was "no contradiction" in the pronouncements of President Marcos and other government officials regarding former lawmaker Zaldy Co's arrest, stating he was indeed apprehended due to immigration concerns.
"Maliwanag ang sinabi ng Pangulo at ni SOJ Vida. Walang anumang contradiction (The President and Secretary of Justice Fredderick Vida were clear in their statements. There is no contradiction)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Friday, April 24.
Castro stressed that "the word 'arrest' did not come from the President."
"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 (What the President said was that Zaldy Co is in the custody of the Czech Republic due to a lack of proper documentation. Zaldy Co was apprehended due to immigration concerns)," Castro explained, citing Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez's clarification.
The Palace official further pointed out that "Co's liberty was indeed restrained due to lack of proper documentation."
"For analogy, it’s similar to a situation in the airport where the person arrives, and immigration denies entry or excludes the person. There is a deprivation of liberty to a certain degree. Nahuli (Apprehended) due to immigration concerns," Castro said, echoing Martinez's explanation.
On April 16, Marcos announced that Co was apprehended in Prague, Czech Republic after allegedly crossing the border without proper documentation. He has since been held under the custody of the Czech authorities.
On April 23, Vida departed for the Czech Republic to explore various legal actions to bring Co home.
Co and several others are facing graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged flood anomalies in a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region IV-B project.
READ MORE: Philippines confident in bringing Zaldy Co back, but...

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Zaldy Co President Marcos Czech Republic DOJ Spokesperson Polo Martinez flood control anomalies
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