APRIL 26, 2026 — The Department of Justice has admitted uncertainty over the exact whereabouts of fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co, raising fresh doubts about whether he remains under Czech custody. Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said there is “no guarantee” Co is still in Prague, though efforts are underway to secure an Interpol red notice and pursue deportation or extradition.

Just days ago, DOJ officials insisted Co was detained in Prague after crossing borders without proper documentation. Vida even confirmed it was a “factual setting” that Co was under Czech custody. 

But in a video conference late Friday, he admitted, “There is no such guarantee, and we need to respect their rules.” 

When pressed if Co may have left Czech jurisdiction, Vida answered bluntly, “Possible.”

This contradiction has fueled confusion among Pinoys. How can the government assure accountability if its own officials cannot pin down the location of a high-profile fugitive?

Legal and diplomatic hurdles

The Philippines has no extradition treaty with the Czech Republic, forcing authorities to explore alternative legal channels. 

Vida’s delegation in Prague is weighing options:

• Interpol red notice to alert European states
• Deportation under Czech immigration law
• Invoking the UN Convention Against Corruption, to which both countries are signatories

Yet Vida refuses to set a timeline, stressing respect for Czech processes. This stands in contrast to earlier government pronouncements that Co could be back in just three weeks.

Co faces graft and malversation charges tied to ghost flood control projects worth hundreds of millions. The Sandiganbayan has issued multiple arrest warrants, and his return is crucial for trial. But every delay deepens public frustration. 

We are all left wondering: Is the government truly capable of bringing back powerful fugitives, or will bureaucracy and weak coordination just let them slip away?

This saga reflects the fragility of our justice system, especially when confronted with international borders and political influence. If Co can evade accountability despite canceled passports and multiple warrants, what message does that send to ordinary citizens facing far less protection?

And if the government cannot even guarantee the custody of a fugitive accused of plundering public funds, how can we trust that justice will ever catch up with the rich and powerful?

(Image: Rep. Zaldy Co | Facebook)