PH-Czech talks start for Zaldy Co deportation

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, and Senate Blue Ribbon chairman Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson (Courtesy: Office of the Chief PNP / Zaldy Co / Senate of the Philippines)

The Philippines has started coordinating with the Czech Republic to bring back former lawmaker Zaldy Co, a process that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said may take up to two to three weeks.

In his update on Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that Co, who faces allegations of corruption linked to multi-billion-peso anomalous flood control projects, “was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic.”

“He was denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody,” the President said.

Philippine officials have already visited Co in Prague after his arrest, Remulla said.

“Our police attaché is already there, coordinating, Our DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is also coordinating very vigorously with local and international counterparts to expedite his deportation here,” he said.

The exact date of Co’s return to the Philippines is not certain, as it depends on the process of foreign agencies, but Remulla initially said it could be within one to three weeks.

“Maybe in as little as one week but as long as three weeks — that depends on the DFA. They are really the lead here,” he said.

“When Co arrives, I will be the arresting officer and I will take him to the custody of the Sandiganbayan because he has already been indicted. He has already been charged by the Ombudsman,” the Interior secretary added.

He said Co will be brought to Camp Crame for detention and to check his physical condition before presenting the former lawmaker to the Sandiganbayan for arraignment.

“Upon arrival at the Sandiganbayan, he will be adjudicated guilty or not guilty, then the Sandiganbayan will give him a verdict of bailable or non-bailable,” Remulla said.

Remulla acknowledged that Co may file a petition before Czech authorities for him not to be brought to the Philippines, but he said the Philippine government will lawfully assert its diplomatic capabilities for the extradition.

“We will fight for the rights of the Philippines. Everything he stole from here, everything he cheated on Filipinos, we will do everything to fight for our rights,” he said.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. added: “We assure the public that the PNP is prepared to assume custody of the subject upon his arrival and will ensure that all procedures are carried out in accordance with existing laws and due process.”

Co was among the 16 individuals facing charges of graft and malversation in connection with the alleged substandard P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro built by Sunwest Corporation, a firm owned by his immediate family members.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council also alleged that Co received P802 million through cheque deposits drawn from Sunwest accounts from 2019 to 2025.

The period covers Co’s tenure as a lawmaker, which means he is prohibited by law from having business interests as a public official.

The Sandiganbayan later declared Co a fugitive from justice.

As this developed, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may invite Co, along with Orly Guteza and former soldiers who claimed to have delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects, once the panel’s partial committee report is formally submitted.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the testimonies of Guteza and the former soldiers are linked to Co.

“Once Co is in the Philippines and the court allows it, I plan to have him attend the hearing along with Guteza and the ex-soldiers so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying,” he said.

The veteran lawmaker said an alternative approach would be to present them sequentially, but said a joint appearance would better establish the truth behind the claims involving the alleged delivery of funds.

“It would be a major development if Co cooperated. He can contribute a lot. He has been described as the architect of the mess, by inserting and allocating funds particularly to the Department of Public Works and Highways,” he said.

At the House, lawmakers led by Speaker Faustino Dy III said Co’s detention in Prague and eventual deportation to the Philippines was a significant step toward accountability and justice for the Filipino people.

“It sends a clear message that those who attempt to evade the law will be held to account,” Dy said.

House Senior Deputy Speaker and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima the Philippine government should waste no time in fast-tracking Co’s deportation.

“He should face the charges against him and disclose everything he knows, including the evidence he has regarding the anomalous flood control projects,” De Lima said.

— Charles Dantes, Vince Lopez, Ram Superable, Joel E. Zurbano & Maricel Cruz