The Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) has submitted all required documents to Interpol in a bid to secure a red notice against former congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, despite his reported departure from Czech custody.
PCTC Executive Director Romeo Prestoza said the documents have already been forwarded to the Interpol Secretariat and expressed optimism that the request would be granted.
“We have already sent it to the secretariat, and we expect that, given the volume of documents submitted, they can eventually grant the red notice,” Prestoza said during a briefing led by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Prague.
He stressed the urgency of the request, noting that Co is facing serious criminal charges and that a red notice would be crucial in facilitating his arrest abroad.
Acting Justice Secretary Fredderic Vida confirmed that Czech authorities informed Philippine officials that Co is no longer in their custody and did not disclose his whereabouts or exit route. However, Vida said Co is believed to still be within the Schengen Area.
Despite the lack of information, Vida described the situation as a “temporary setback” and assured that efforts to bring Co back to the Philippines will continue.
“We will work within legal frameworks as aggressively as allowed,” he said, noting that once issued, the Interpol red notice would enable member countries to detain and return Co through extradition or deportation.
Vida also revealed that the Philippines and the Czech Republic have agreed to begin negotiations on key law enforcement agreements, including an extradition treaty.
Authorities remain confident Co will eventually be returned to face charges of graft and malversation linked to an alleged ghost flood control project.
Co, a former representative of the Ako Bicol Party-list and former chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, has been accused of manipulating the national budget and involvement in irregular flood control projects.
He resigned from Congress in September 2025 amid corruption allegations, which he has repeatedly denied. Co earlier claimed threats to his life and said he had divested from construction firm Sunwest Corporation, a company linked to his family.
In separate claims, Co alleged that he was ordered to insert P100 billion into the national budget and deliver money to top officials—allegations denied by Malacañang.
He is among 16 individuals charged in connection with a P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. The Sandiganbayan has since declared him a fugitive from justice.
Co was previously intercepted near the German border after crossing from the Czech Republic without proper documentation and was briefly held by Czech authorities before reportedly leaving custody.
