Philippine Ex-Lawmaker Zaldy Co Arrested in Prague

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that Zaldy Co, a former lawmaker and key suspect in a major corruption scandal involving flood control projects, has been arrested in Prague, Czech Republic. Co, who resigned from the House of Representatives in September after facing allegations of financial irregularities, was detained by Czech authorities after entering the country without proper documentation.

Marcos stated that the Philippine government is coordinating closely with Czech officials to follow legal processes and facilitate Co's return to the Philippines as soon as possible. "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," Marcos said in a public statement. The Philippines lacks an extradition treaty with the Czech Republic, complicating efforts to secure Co's custody. Philippine officials had previously canceled Co's passport in December and requested assistance from Interpol to locate and apprehend him, after he went into hiding in July citing medical treatment and threats to his life.