April 28, 2026 — Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed that fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co is no longer in the custody of Czech authorities, with his current whereabouts unknown but believed to be somewhere within the Schengen area. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Co appears to be traveling by land, complicating efforts to bring him back to the Philippines to face graft and malversation charges.

In a press briefing held at the Philippine Embassy in Prague, Vida announced the development, calling it “difficult news” for Filipinos awaiting Co’s return. “Czech authorities have informed us that Mr. Zaldy Co is no longer in their custody,” Vida said, adding that the Czech government declined to provide details on when or how Co left the country, citing Schengen protocols and data privacy laws.

Vida explained that intelligence reports suggest Co is still within the Schengen zone, which covers 29 European countries with open borders. “What we can confirm is that he is within the Schengen area,” Vida said. He noted that Co is likely moving by land, as his passport was canceled by the Sandiganbayan in December 2025, making air travel difficult.

The DOJ chief revealed that Co had been carrying an expired Philippine passport with a Schengen visa when he was first accosted by Czech authorities on April 16. Reports also indicated that he may have been traveling with his son and a Filipino driver. Vida said Philippine authorities have submitted additional documents to Interpol to support a red notice request, which could aid in tracking and apprehending Co across Europe.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier announced Co’s capture in the Czech Republic, saying the government was coordinating with Czech officials to arrange his return. However, Vida clarified that the information available at the time was accurate but incomplete, and subsequent developments showed Co was no longer detained. When pressed by reporters on whether Co is now considered free, Vida admitted, “Yes, he is not detained.”

Co, a former Ako Bicol representative and ex-chairman of the House appropriations committee, has been implicated in alleged anomalies involving multi-billion peso flood control projects. He was declared a fugitive by the Sandiganbayan in late 2025 after arrest warrants were issued against him and others linked to graft and malversation cases.

The DOJ said it remains committed to pursuing Co’s extradition or repatriation, despite the challenges of working across sovereign borders and navigating European legal frameworks. Vida assured the public that “all listening posts in the European Union have been alerted and are monitoring” for Co’s movements.

This latest development underscores the complexities of international law enforcement and the difficulties in apprehending fugitives who exploit open-border arrangements in Europe. For now, the hunt for Zaldy Co continues, with Philippine authorities relying on cooperation from European governments and Interpol to bring him back to face trial.