Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said that while there are no photos or official documents confirming the arrest, all indications point to former lawmaker Zaldy Co being taken into custody by authorities in the Czech Republic.
Speaking at a briefing, Vida explained that communications among government agencies suggest Co is under the custody of Czech authorities, despite the absence of formal confirmation or physical evidence.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced that Co had been arrested in Prague, and assured that the government would take all legal steps to bring him back to the Philippines.
According to Vida, the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime received information placing Co in a specific location, along with inquiries from foreign counterparts about whether an arrest warrant had been issued against him—an indication, he said, that Co may already be in custody.
However, Vida acknowledged that there is no physical evidence, such as documents or photographs, confirming the arrest, citing strict data privacy regulations in Europe. Czech authorities have also not officially confirmed the arrest, in line with their policies.
The Philippine government is set to send a team to the Czech Republic this week to coordinate with local officials and discuss next steps, including the possibility of gaining access to Co if he is indeed detained.
Vida said the government is exploring all available legal avenues to secure Co’s return, expressing confidence that he will eventually face the charges against him in the Philippines.
Both the Philippines and the Czech Republic are signatories to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which Vida said provides a framework for cooperation in anti-corruption efforts.
Co is facing graft and malversation charges in connection with an alleged substandard P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. He has denied the allegations.
In March, the Sandiganbayan upheld its ruling declaring Co a fugitive from justice.
