(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday night said that former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co has been arrested in Prague, Czech Republic.
The President made the announcement on his Facebook page that the former lawmaker was detained in the Czech capital.
“He is now detained in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation and is currently in the custody of Czech authorities,” he wrote.
“We are in close coordination with the Czech government to ensure that all legal processes are followed and to arrange for his return to the Philippines at the soonest possible time,” the President added.
Marcos said that they would keep the public informed on future developments.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it took note of the reported arrest of Co in Prague, but that it was verifying the veracity of the news “through official channels.”
“The Philippine National Police (PNP) takes note of the reported arrest of former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who is said to be currently detained in Prague under the custody of Czech authorities,” PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, said in a statement.
He said the PNP was also coordinating with concerned agencies and international law enforcement partners.
The PNP said it “stands ready to support all necessary legal processes, including coordination for his possible return to the Philippines.”
The PNP's stateent comes after the president himself said that Co was currently “detained in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation and is currently in the custody of Czech authorities.”
Co is accused of