MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public that fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co will be made to face charges in the Philippines, as the government prepares to send a high-level coordination team to the Czech Republic.

In a video message dated April 20, Marcos said authorities are coordinating efforts to secure Co’s return after he was placed in the custody of Czech officials.

“We will bring Zaldy Co home and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” Marcos said.

Co is currently being held by Czech authorities after he was detained while allegedly attempting to cross into Germany without proper documentation, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla in a previous interview.

Marcos said he has directed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with Czech officials regarding Co’s possible turnover.

“Magpapadala rin ng high-level coordination team upang tutukan ito,” Marcos said.

The President emphasized that the repatriation process will follow legal procedures and may take time.

“Nananatili po siya sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic at isinasagawa natin ang lahat ng mga kinakailangang hakbang para sa kanyang pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.

“Ang ganitong mga proseso ay may sinusunod na mga legal na hakbang… kaya’t nangangailangan ng sapat na panahon upang maisagawa nang tama,” he added.

Marcos also assured that Co will face charges upon his return.

“We will bring Zaldy Co home, and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” he said.

Co is among 16 individuals charged with graft and malversation in connection with an alleged substandard P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, reportedly undertaken by Sunwest Corporation, a firm linked to his family.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council earlier alleged that Co received around P802 million through check deposits from Sunwest accounts between 2019 and 2025, during his time as a legislator, a period when public officials are prohibited from having business interests.

The Sandiganbayan has declared Co a fugitive from justice, while officials said he had left the country in 2025 and had since been traveling in Europe before his arrest in the Czech Republic.