Immigration Issues Keep Zaldy Co in Czech Custody as PH Officials Arrive for Talks

MANILA — Philippine officials are now in Prague for talks with the Czech authorities regarding the return to the Philippines of former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co.

President Bongbong Marcos last week announced the "arrest" of Co in Prague after a failed attempt to enter Germany from the Czech Republic.

To date, the Czech government has not released any formal public statement confirming the specific identity or "arrest" of Zaldy Co. This is largely due to strict European data privacy laws.

However, official channels have provided some information regarding the matter.

Czech police confirmed in a letter to the media that a person named Elizaldy Co was the subject of an "intervention" by law enforcement within their country.

Czech authorities also confirmed that police action occurred. However, they have not used the terms "arrest" or "detention" publicly, and instead refers to it as an "intervention" or "law enforcement action."

Meanwhile, Czech Ministry of Justice indicated that they were in coordination with the police for an investigation and cannot provide specific details until the case status is verified.

The Czech police, through Col. Ondrej Moravcik, stated they cannot provide information on specific individuals due to strict European law.

DOJ officials clarified that while Co was not "technically arrested" in the Philippine sense, he is in the custody of Czech authorities due to immigration issues (lack of proper documentation).

However, a Czech migration law expert noted that Co's return to the Philippines will follow administrative or criminal procedures and will not be immediate.