MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday that the government will work to bring former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co back to the Philippines from the Czech Republic, where authorities detained him last week, so he can face graft charges related to a multibillion-peso public works scandal.
Marcos said Philippine authorities will coordinate with Czech officials to secure Co’s return after he was arrested on April 16 for attempting to cross into Germany without proper travel documents and was held by Czech authorities.
“We will bring Zaldy Co home, and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” Marcos said in a video statement.
The President said the government will deploy a high-level coordination team to Prague to assist in processing Co’s return. Malacañang did not disclose who will be part of the team.
Co, a former representative of the Ako Bicol party list and former chair of the House appropriations committee, faces graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with an alleged P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Three court divisions issued arrest warrants against him along with 15 officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Sunwest Inc.
Philippine authorities have no extradition treaty with the Czech Republic. Marcos said the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs will lead negotiations with Czech counterparts to secure Co’s turnover.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Co’s deportation could take one to three weeks, depending on discussions between the two governments.
International law experts said the process could take longer if Co applies for asylum in the Czech Republic, which could suspend deportation proceedings while authorities review his claim and any related court appeals.
The Philippine government has also requested a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), which could support efforts to locate and transfer Co.
The Philippine National Police said it has prepared a security plan for Co’s return. Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said Co will undergo documentation, fingerprinting, and medical examination upon arrival before being presented to the Sandiganbayan.
The Sandiganbayan will determine where Co will be detained after his return, Tuaño said.
Neither Philippine nor Czech authorities have released official documentation confirming Co’s arrest or detention details.