Philippines says Czech authorities released key suspect in corruption scandal
The Philippines announced that former lawmaker Zaldy Co, a key suspect in a major corruption scandal, has been released by Czech authorities. Co was arrested for entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation but is now believed to be in the Schengen area. This development poses a challenge for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who aims to bring Co back to face charges related to a significant graft scheme.
- ▪Zaldy Co was arrested in the Czech Republic for entering without proper documentation.
- ▪Czech authorities have not disclosed details about Co's release due to data privacy rules.
- ▪The Philippines lacks a police cooperation agreement with the Czech Republic, complicating efforts to pursue Co.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Philippines says Czech authorities released key suspect in corruption scandal Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxThe Czech authorities did not provide details on how and where former lawmaker Zaldy Co exited, citing data privacy rules.PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM ZALDYCO_/INSTAGRAMPublished Apr 28, 2026, 01:53 PMUpdated Apr 28, 2026, 03:30 PMListenPRAGUE – The Philippines said former lawmaker Zaldy Co – a key suspect in the corruption scandal that rocked the nation – has been released by the Czech authorities just over a week after his arrest.Co is no longer in Czech custody, and is now somewhere within the Schengen area, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida told reporters in a virtual briefing from Prague.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.