PRAGUE, April 18, 2026 —Former Philippine lawmaker Zaldy Co has been arrested in Prague, Czech Republic, but Czech officials remain tight-lipped about the circumstances, leaving many questions unanswered as Manila pushes for his deportation.

Fugitive former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co was detained in Prague after allegedly entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the arrest, stating, “Nahuli na si Zaldy Co. He is now detained in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation and is currently in the custody of Czech authorities. We are in close coordination with the Czech government to ensure that all legal processes are followed and to arrange for his return to the Philippines at the soonest possible time.”

Despite the confirmation from the Philippine government, Czech authorities have declined to provide further details about the arrest. Officials in Prague have not issued any public statement, fueling speculation about the legal process and the timeline for Co’s possible deportation. The silence has drawn attention, given Co’s high-profile role in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal in the Philippines.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that Philippine officials have already visited Co in detention. He explained that Co was apprehended after failing to present valid travel documents, noting that his Philippine passport had been canceled and he did not have a Portuguese passport as claimed. 

“We are coordinating with Czech and international counterparts to expedite Co’s deportation to the Philippines,” Remulla said.

Co, who once chaired the House Committee on Appropriations, fled the Philippines after being implicated in corruption allegations tied to flood control projects worth billions of pesos. His arrest marks a significant development in the government’s efforts to hold accountable those linked to the scandal. President Marcos emphasized transparency, promising, “We will keep the public informed as developments unfold.”

For now, the Czech government’s refusal to comment leaves uncertainty over how quickly Co might be sent back to face charges in Manila. The case underscores the complexities of international law enforcement cooperation, especially when high-profile fugitives are involved.