Zaldy Co 'not arrested,' his liberty merely 'restrained' in the Czech Republic—DOJ

The Department of Justice has clarified that fugitive and former congressman Zaldy Co was technically not arrested in the Czech Republic; just that "his liberty was restrained."

"An intervention involving Zaldy Co took place in Czech Republic—this face was wholly ascertained and remains undisputed," DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said during a press briefing on April 24. 

"For analogy, it's similar to a situation in the airport where the person arrives and immigration denies entry or excludes the person," Martinez said. "Technically, not arrested but there is a deprivation of liberty to a certain degree."

He explained an arrest in the Czech Republic wouldn't have been possible as Co has no outstanding warrant in the European country. 

The spokesperson was unable to describe in specific terms the manner of intervention conducted by the Czech authorities. But he assured the press that the DOJ would know more "once we have opened formal dialogue with Czech authorities." 

The Palace also clarified that Marcos did not use the term “arrest” regarding Co’s situation.

“Walang anumang contradiction,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing on Friday.

“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,” she added.

Castro, citing Martinez, asserted that Co’s freedom of movement was "indeed restrained" by his lack of proper travel documentation.

Co was apprehended at the German border where he attempted to enter from the Czech Republic without proper documentation, presumably a European passport. He currently remains in the jurisdiction of the Czech Republic, where, according to Martinez he is "the subject of official law enforcement action by Czech authorities."

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida flew to the Czech Republic on April 23 to coordinate the return of Co with the Czech authorities.

Martinez's clarification of terms regarding Co's confinement came about a week after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  announced Co's capture on Facebook. 

"Nahuli na si Zaldy Co," Marcos wrote. "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 added his administration was in close coordination with the Czech government to arrange Co's legal and speedy return to the Philippines. 

In a DZMM interview on April 17, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla hedged a guess that Co could be back in the country between one and three weeks. 

"Depende 'yan sa DFA. Sila talaga ang lead dito," Remulla said. 

He added a theory that Co may have become complacent, which could have led to his detention.

"Ang deportation niya is based on a cancelled passport. 'Di niya kasi dala ang kanyang Portuguese passport. Wala siyang dala. Parang nakampante na. N'ung nahuli siya doon, nakalagay du'n, wala siyang travel document. Hinuli siya agad," Remulla said.

Co resigned from his position as an Ako Bicol Party-list representative on September 2025, two months after he left the country supposedly to seek medical treatment in the US. The Sandiganbayan has since issued him three arrest warrants in connection to his involvement in the multibillion-peso flood control scam.

The former congressman's passport was cancelled in December 2025. In the same month, the National Bureau of Investigation requested an Interpol Red Notice placed on Co.