President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said a high-level coordination team will be sent to the Czech Republic to coordinate with Czech authorities for the swift return of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to the Philippines.
In a video message, Marcos said Co remains in the custody of Czech authorities. He added that he has directed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to lead coordination efforts to ensure the orderly processing of Co’s return to the country.
“Such processes follow legal steps between countries and require sufficient time to be carried out properly (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 nang tama),” the President said.
“We will bring Zaldy Co home, and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” he added.
Co was stopped at the German border as he tried to enter Germany from the Czech Republic. He was found without travel documents, such as a valid passport, which had been previously canceled by the Philippine government. He was subsequently detained by Czech authorities.
He is facing graft and malversation charges in connection with an allegedly anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division in November 2025 and declared him a fugitive from justice.