The ex-lawmaker was reportedly captured as he tried to cross borders in Europe.
On Monday, April 20, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed through a recorded message his assurance to the public following the arrest of fugitive former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who is one of the central figures in the flood control scandal.
It was last April 16 when Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic—he was immediately denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody.
The chief executive said that the government is taking all necessary and legal steps to bring home the former legislator, who had fled the country even before the case broke into the public knowledge.
“Nananatili po siya sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic at isinasagawa natin ang lahat ng mga kinakailangang hakbang para sa kanyang pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas,” the President said.
He stressed, “We will bring Zaldy Co home, and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people.”
In light of the situation, the President said he has ordered the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the concerned Czech counterparts to ensure that the process is carried out properly and legally.
“Inutusan ko ang Department of Justice kasama ang Department of Foreign Affairs na pangunahan ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng Czech Republic upang matiyak na maayos at naaayon sa proseso ang lahat ng kinakailangan,” he told.
The President added that a high-level coordination team will also be deployed to closely monitor and facilitate the developments.
“Ang ganitong mga proseso ay may sinusunod na mga legal na hakbang sa pagitan ng mga bansa, kaya’t nangangailangan ng sapat na panahon upang maisagawa ng tama,” the President furthered.
Co is facing arrest warrants for graft and malversation over an anomalous multi-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
He is one of the co-accused in the case, which was also filed against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa and executives of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp.
The legal challenge was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan as part of the first tranche of cases related to flood control projects corruption in late 2025.