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Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co at the turnover of Solar Home Systems in Brgy. Galicia, Rapu-Rapu, Albay on May 23, 2025.  Ako Bicol party-list/File

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17763972401041776397234881.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co at the turnover of Solar Home Systems in Brgy. Galicia, Rapu-Rapu, Albay on May 23, 2025.  <em>Ako Bicol party-list/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A “complacent” trip across Europe led to the arrest of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co in Prague, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday, as the government prepares for his deportation.</p><p>According to Remulla, Co had been moving across Europe by land in recent weeks, traveling from Portugal to France before reaching Prague.</p><p>“Pagdating sa Prague, nasita siya ron at nakita na wala siyang dalang travel document. Nung ni-research siya, nakita na cancelled ang Philippine passport niya, ay dinetain na siya automatically at in-inform ang Philippine authorities,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/17/zaldy-co-may-be-back-in-ph-in-1-3-weeks-remulla-0723">Zaldy Co back in PH in &#x27;1-3 weeks&#x27;: Remulla</a></div><p>The DILG chief said Co appeared to have grown complacent while moving across the Schengen region, where border checks are often minimal.</p><p>“Ang buhay niya ay isang malaking bakasyon doon sa Europe eh. Sa dami niya ng pera, balewala sa kanya ang ikot nang ikot lang. Tingin ko naging complacent na,” Remulla added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>DEPORTATION POSSIBLE DESPITE NO EXTRADITION TREATY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Authorities had earlier tracked Co to Portugal, but efforts to bring him home were difficult because the Philippines has no extradition treaty with the country.</p><p>His arrest in Prague, however, changed the situation.</p><p>After he was caught without valid travel documents and found to have a cancelled Philippine passport, Co was classified as an “unwanted alien,” making deportation to the Philippines possible under immigration laws.</p><p> “Wala rin tayong extradition treaty sa Prague pero nahuli siya sa wala siyang travel document. So officially he is an unwanted alien na pwede siyang ma-deport,” Remulla said.</p><p>Remulla added that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is leading coordination with Czech authorities, along with Philippine military and police attachés abroad.</p><p>Remulla declined to give a timeline, stressing that the process will move through diplomatic channels.</p><div> </div><div><strong>PROCESSING AWAITS IN CAMP CRAME</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Once deported, Remulla said Co will be turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and brought to Camp Crame for booking procedures.</p><p>Authorities will conduct a medical examination, fingerprinting, mugshots, and the formal return of arrest warrants to the Sandiganbayan.</p><p>Co is facing graft and malversation charges linked to the anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/18/ombudsman-files-raps-vs-zaldy-co-others-in-oriental-mindoro-flood-control-project-1623">Ombudsman files raps vs Zaldy Co, others in Oriental Mindoro flood control project</a></div><p>“He will be under the jurisdiction of the Sandigan already. They have the right to petition for bail pero nasa discretion ng Sandigan ‘yan kung bibigay o hindi,” Remulla said.</p><p>Remulla hinted that Co’s arrest is only one piece of a broader investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.</p><p>“The pieces of the puzzle are slowly being put together. Expect next week, mas marami pang lalabas na mga balita. Mabubuo pa ‘yung buong-buong misteryo ng flood control na ‘yan.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>WARNING TO OTHER FUGITIVES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The DILG chief also warned other wanted individuals that wealth will not shield them from arrest.</p><p>He cited businessman Atong Ang, who he said was last seen in the Calabarzon area and is the subject of a red notice from Interpol.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/16/interpol-red-notice-out-for-atong-ang-remulla-says-1655">Interpol red notice out for Atong Ang, Remulla says</a></div><p>“Akala nila kasi ang pera nila kayang proteksyunan sila habang buhay. Hindi na gano&#x27;n ngayon. Balewala ‘yung pera nila basta talagang hahanapin sila,” Remulla said.</p><p>Co remains under detention in Prague as Philippine officials work to complete diplomatic arrangements for his deportation.</p><p>The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it was coordinating with concerned government agencies and international law enforcement counterparts following Co’s arrest. </p><p>“The PNP stands ready to provide necessary assistance and support in ensuring that all legal processes are properly observed, including coordination for his possible return to the Philippines,” said PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.</p><p>Co is expected to be detained at a facility at the national police headquarters, Camp Crame.</p><div><strong>— With a report from Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News</strong> </div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q-0SXnwe5aA??si=F2HKzcYU3HzOCub2&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZN0fXtxz_LQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oPrrneqgCh0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A “complacent” trip across Europe led to the arrest of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co in Prague, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday, as the government prepares for his deportation.</p>

A “complacent” trip across Europe led to the arrest of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co in Prague, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday, as the government prepares for his deportation.

Zaldy Co's 'complacent' Europe trip led to his arrest—Remulla

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Zaldy Co's 'complacent' Europe trip led to his arrest—Remulla

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 17, 2026 11:54 AM PHT

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Updated April 17, 2026 02:44 PM PHT

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Zaldy Co

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