Remulla: Zaldy Co may be brought back to PH in 1-3 weeks

National

FORMER lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co may be brought back to the Philippines within one to three weeks after he was arrested in the Czech Republic.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Department of Foreign Affairs is now working with Czech authorities for Co’s deportation.

Remulla explained that the process may take at least a week, but could extend up to three weeks depending on coordination and legal steps abroad, a report by Inquirer.net said

A minor issue was noted during Co’s arrest as authorities found that he had no travel documents, as his passport had already been canceled. This may affect the deportation process.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier confirmed that Co was arrested in Prague after entering the Czech Republic without proper documents. He is now under the custody of Czech authorities.

Once back in the country, Co will undergo a medical check-up at Camp Crame before facing legal proceedings at the Sandiganbayan, including arraignment and a decision on whether he can post bail.

Co is one of the alleged masterminds in the multi-billion peso flood control controversy in 2025. He has been on the run since July that year and was later declared a fugitive after failing to face charges.

Authorities said the case involves alleged irregularities in a road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, where substandard work and false documents were reportedly used.(Bhea Bianca S. Sadaya, CTU-TC BAEL-ELSD)