Fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co is no longer in the custody of Czech authorities, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said.
Speaking to reporters from Prague on Tuesday, April 28 (Manila time), Vida said the former lawmaker is no longer under Czech authorities, with his whereabouts remaining unclear.
“I have difficult news to share, mga kababayan. Czech authorities have informed us that Mr. Zaldy Co is no longer in their custody,” Vida said.
When asked where Co might be, Vida said he may be somewhere in the Schengen area.
The justice chief also said that in response to questions on Co’s departure from the Czech Republic, the authorities said they could not disclose further information.
“They (Czech authorities) are citing Schengen rules and data privacy,” Vida said.
The justice secretary shared that Marcos has been informed of the development.
Vida, who flew from Manila to Prague last week to facilitate Co’s return, said that they “surmised” that Co may have been apprehended due to alleged immigration violations.
When asked how Co traveled, Vida said they received information that the fugitive former lawmaker had traveled by land.
“We got information as to the registry of the vehicle, we also got information as to the driver,” Vida said.
However, Vida did not disclose further details, as it is an “active operation.”
Is Co free? With Co no longer in the custody of Czech authorities, reporters pressed Vida on whether Co is considered a free person.
The justice chief initially hesitated, reiterating that Co is no longer held by Czech authorities.
Reporters followed up on Co’s status, to which Vida replied: ‘he is not detained.’
Finally, when asked directly, ‘is he free?’ the justice secretary conceded, saying ‘yes.’
Multiple passports. Vida said Co has three passports, citing Bureau of Immigration records.
The justice chief explained that the passport Co is carrying is the one that expired in September 2022 – the same document he had when he was accosted by Czech authorities.
The other is his official passport, while the remaining one was declared no longer valid by the Sandiganbayan in December 2025.
However, Vida expressed confidence that Co could still be apprehended, saying that his passport had already been canceled by the Sandiganbayan. Accusations. Co has been in hiding since mid-2025, even before the probe into the alleged anomalous flood control projects started.
In November 2025, the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against Co over the P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, specifically the construction of a road dike along the Mag-asawang Tubig River.