Zaldy Co no longer in Czech Republic territory but still within Schengen area—DOJ
Fugitive Zaldy Co has left the Czech Republic and is not under the custody of any authority, as far as the Philippine government knows, Justice Secretary Frederick A. Vida announced on April 27 from Prague.
In a press conference at the Philippine Embassy in Prague, Vida told reporters, "I have to share difficult news, mga kababayan. Czech authorities have informed us that Mr. Zaldy Co is no longer in their custody."
The only other verified information Vida could share was that Co is traveling with a companion—a driver—through the Schengen area by land in a vehicle whose registration information the Philippine contingent in Prague is privy to.
"That is the workable intel that we have," Vida said.
He refused to share more details about the vehicle driver's identity as it was "an active operation."
Although the Justice secretary confirmed he asked his counterpart in the Czech Ministry of Justice for more details, such as where Co's point of exit was and his exact current location in Europe, Vida admitted, "The information was not relayed to us."
"They're citing Schengen rules and data privacy provisions. What they cited in our conversation is, they were pointing to a possible cooperation agreement, which we don't have, which is currently ongoing negotiations between the Philippine government and the Czech Republic," Vida said.
Prior to the press conference, he and his team, composed of USec. Romeo C. Prestoza, Philippine Center on Transnational Crime executive director, and Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin L. Chan, met with the officials from the Czech Ministry of Justice for a little less than an hour.
"After confirming that he is no longer within the territory of the Czech Republic, I politely asked, 'Can you share further information?' Their reply was, 'We can no longer share additional information on the matter'," Vida said.
"They really look at the rights of the individual," said Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin R. Meñez, who was present at the press conference. "It's not just what another government may wish but also considering that Mr. Co...as an individual, they are constrained from sharing certain information."
Co is considered a central figure in the flood control scandal involving billions of pesos lost to alleged corruption.
On April 16, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Facebook, "Nahuli na si Zaldy Co. He is not detained in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation and is currently in the custody of Czech authorities."
"When our president made that announcement, that was the facts available, na narito siya sa Czech Republic," Vida said.
However, Vida admitted the specific details regarding Co's status on April 16, whether Co was arrested, detained, or accosted by Czech police, were not clear to him.
For now, the Philippine government is relying on "all listening posts na available sa Philippine government," Vida continued. "We have other validated sources... 'yung aming intel na na-enhance."
Interpol Red Notice
Per Vida, Co's movements in Europe would have been more restricted with a Red Notice from Interpol, which would have served as an international arrest warrant.
However, the Philippine government is still currently waiting for Interpol's evaluation of its application for one on Co, which, according to the Justice secretary, the government submitted to the Interpol secretariat in November 2025.
"Once issued, the Red Notice would enable any member country to detain and return him through extradition or deportation," said Vida.
On April 8, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, "I think we should get the Red Notice anytime this week or next week."
In his press conference last night, however, Vida said the government is still working to buff up its Red Notice application using a whole-of-government approach involving various agencies including the Department of Justice, Office of the Ombudsman, and the Commission on Audit.
"Nag-double-back, nag-due diligence [kami] dahil hindi nagalaw [ang Red Notice application]," said Vida.
According to the Interpol, however, "A Red Notice is an international alert for a wanted person, but is not an arrest warrant."
The passport issue
Questions arose as to how Co can still move around Europe holding a passport that, according to Marcos, was cancelled on Dec. 10, 2025.
"Apparently, when we double-checked with records available to the Bureau of Immigration, Mr. Zaldy Co was issued three passports," Vida said. "The one which he was carrying...is the one that expired Sept. 11, 2022."
Co was apparently holding that expired passport when he was accosted by the Czech authorities.
However, according to Vida, Co holds two other passports: "One is the official passport, I believe when he was congressman, and the other passport is the one cancelled by the Philippine courts."
Despite this irregularity, Vida expressed confidence that Co would eventually be caught.
"Kung maibabalik ba siya sa Pilipinas para maharap ang mga kasong siya'ky kinakaharap at siya'y nasasakdal...mataas ang kumpiyansa [ko]; 99%," he said.
