ILOILO City — The arrest of fugitive former congressman Zaldy Co abroad is seen to intensify the Marcos administration’s crackdown on irregularities in multibillion-peso flood control projects, with Malacañang signaling that the long-running probe is now entering a decisive phase toward accountability.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Clarissa “Claire” Castro on Friday described Co’s capture in Prague, Czech Republic as a major breakthrough, stressing that it removes a key obstacle in the government’s efforts to uncover the truth behind controversial infrastructure deals now under national scrutiny.
“Nakausap po tayo ng Pangulo…at ipinaalam sa atin ang pinaka-update sa pagkakahuli kay dating congressman Zaldy Co,” Castro said during a press conference here, noting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself disclosed the development through his official Facebook page.
The Palace underscored that Co’s arrest — following the cancellation of his passport and his classification as a fugitive — reinforces the administration’s stance that no one will be spared from investigation.
“Kung kayo ay nababanggit na maaaring may kinalaman, nararapat lamang po na imbestigahan,” Castro said.
She added: “Ang isang fugitive dapat lamang pong mahuli… magandang balita po na siya ay maibabalik sa Pilipinas para managot.”
The development comes as the government ramps up its probe into alleged anomalies in flood control projects — an investigation personally ordered by the President amid mounting concerns over corruption and misuse of public funds.
Castro said the President welcomed the arrest, emphasizing that accountability remains the administration’s central objective.
“Definitely…ang utos po niya, managot ang dapat na managot. Kung ang isang tao ay may warrant of arrest, fugitive, cancelled ang passport — sino po ba ang hindi matutuwa na mahuli siya at maibalik sa Pilipinas?” she said.
She also brushed aside Co’s earlier claims allegedly linking the President to the controversy, saying the focus is on extracting the truth from those involved.
“Ang dapat na tanong diyan ay kung handa ba si Zaldy Co na magsabi ng katotohanan… kung sino ang kaniyang mga nakasama,” Castro said.
Reiterating the administration’s position, Castro stressed that the investigation will proceed with full transparency and due process.
“Ang Pangulo ang siyang nagsimulang magpa-imbestiga ng mga anomalya… handa siyang makinig sa lahat ng maaaring sabihin ng mga taong involved at dapat managot sa batas,” she added.
The Philippine government has intensified diplomatic and legal efforts to bring home Co.
In a post on X, Marcos said Co remains under custody of Czech authorities after being turned back at the German border.
“Our coordination with Czech authorities continues,” Marcos said. “He was denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody.”
Co was apprehended in Prague for allegedly entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation. Authorities have since classified him as an undocumented foreign national and placed him in an immigration detention facility.
Government officials revealed that Co had been moving across several European countries prior to his arrest, including Italy and Portugal, in an apparent attempt to evade authorities.
Once repatriated, Co will be handed over to the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame for medical examination and documentation before being transferred to the Sandiganbayan, which will determine the conditions of his detention as he faces charges./PN
