DOJ: Zaldy Co “Located,” Not Arrested, in Czech Republic

DOJ: Zaldy Co “Located,” Not Arrested, in Czech Republic

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 24, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a sharp clarification, pushing back against pervasive claims—including those attributed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—that former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co was arrested in the Czech Republic.

The DOJ unequivocally states that no such arrest ever took place, a detail that intensifies public scrutiny over official pronouncements and the government’s handling of high-profile cases.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez underscored the widespread misreporting, emphasizing that Co was merely “located” by foreign authorities, not taken into custody. “We have to be careful with the nomenclature—he was not arrested. When Zaldy Co was found in the Czech Republic, their government notified the Philippines,” Martinez stated, aiming to correct the public record.

This clarification directly contradicts earlier narratives, including public statements linked to the President, which suggested Co had already been apprehended overseas. Martinez stressed the legal inaccuracy of using the term “arrest,” which implies an enforcement action by a country with jurisdiction—a condition not met in this instance.

“Let’s do away with the word ‘arrest’ because arrest assumes it is being done by the country with jurisdiction over him. The Czech Republic cannot lawfully arrest Zaldy Co because he has no outstanding warrant there. The case is pending in the Philippines, so these are two different jurisdictions,” he explained.

According to the DOJ, any lawful effort to take Co into custody would necessitate formal international mechanisms, such as extradition, given that his case remains under Philippine jurisdiction. The agency’s statement aims to rectify public misunderstanding and rein in narratives that have overstated developments, particularly as high-profile remarks fueled confusion about Co’s actual status abroad.

The DOJ further clarified that while an “intervention” involving Co occurred, Philippine authorities have yet to confirm if Co was indeed detained or to provide other specific details of his situation on the ground.

The official backtracking on Co’s “arrest” comes against a backdrop of increasing public cynicism. Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson, Atty. Harry Roque, in a viral social media post, notably expressed, “maganda ang gising ko dahil walang Zaldy Co na naaresto in Europe,” (“I woke up in a good mood because Zaldy Co wasn’t arrested in Europe.”) days after Marcos’ pronouncement of Co’s arrest, further fueling speculation and doubt about the government’s initial narrative.

Many Filipinos suspect that President Marcos Jr.’s unconfirmed pronouncements regarding Co’s “arrest” may have served as a deliberate diversion. This perception gained traction during critical impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, where the Committee on Justice presented Ramil Madriaga—a witness widely criticized by netizens as “scripted” and a “pathological liar.”

The incident not only highlights inconsistencies in official communication but also raises critical questions about transparency and accountability within the administration, particularly in light of ongoing concerns regarding alleged “kakistocracy” and “kleptocracy.”

The public remains watchful, questioning the veracity of official statements and, crucially, demanding answers regarding the expenditure of “billions of confidential funds” from Malacañang—a matter that continues to be a point of contention and deep public interest.