Fugitive Ex-Rep Zaldy Co Apprehended in Prague After Months on the Run
Former Ako Bicol party-list representative and fugitive businessman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has been arrested by Czech authorities, ending a nearly year-long international manhunt.
Co was taken into custody on April 16, 2026, after attempting to enter the Czech Republic illegally. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the arrest via a social media post early Friday morning, stating that the Philippine government is working closely with Interpol and Czech officials to facilitate his immediate return.
The Downfall of a Powerhouse
Once a powerful figure in the House of Representatives as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Co’s legal troubles began in mid-2025. He became the central figure in a multibillion-peso investigation into substandard flood control projects and government contracts.
The tipping point came in November 2025, when the Sandiganbayan issued an official warrant for his arrest on charges of graft and malversation. The case specifically targets a ₱289.4-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. State investigators alleged the project was riddled with irregularities and failed to meet basic safety and engineering standards.
A Failed Escape
Co fled the Philippines in July 2025, initially claiming he was traveling to the United States for urgent medical treatment. However, he failed to return as promised, prompting the Department of Justice (DOJ) to request a Red Notice from Interpol.
His arrest in Prague was reportedly triggered by a lack of proper travel documents, as the Philippine government had previously canceled his passport.
What’s Next?
The DOJ has announced that the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are finalizing the necessary paperwork to bring Co back to Manila.
"The long arm of the law has finally caught up with Mr. Co," a DOJ spokesperson said. "He will be afforded due process, but he must now face the Grave charges filed against him before the Sandiganbayan."
Co is currently being held in a Czech detention facility awaiting extradition proceedings.
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