Malacanang defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier announced on social media that Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co was held by Czech authorities in Prague last April 16.

“Ano ba ang inanunsiyo ni Pangulo? Hindi po ba ang inanunsiyo ng Pangulo unang-una ay nahuli si Zaldy Co – totoo naman ‘di po? Nasa kustodiya ng Czech Republic si Zaldy Co, totoo naman at ang sabi ng Pangulo nakikipag-coordinate tayo sa Czech Republic, totoo naman – so, anong premature doon? Walang premature doon,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro said that the President did not use the term “arrested” in his announcement.

In Prague, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida told reporters that he would rather not speculate as to whether Marcos made a “premature” announcement regarding Co’s status in the Czech Republic.

“I don’t want to speculate that it could be premature. It could be a reality five days from now after my meeting. I’ll report to you again after my meeting on what we have validated and verified,” Vida told reporters.

“We move forward based on empirical data, based on what’s true. That’s why it is important to know the facts.”

Vida gave a statement shortly after he attended Sunday mass at the Church of Our Lady Victorious and The Infant Jesus of Prague — a world-renowned pilgrimage site that houses a nearly 4-century old Sto. Niño — a day ahead of his meeting with officials from Czechia’s Ministry of Justice.

Last week, Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez clarified that Co was not technically arrested by Czech authorities, but his liberty was restrained for possible violation of immigration regulations.

But criticisms and questions on the status of Co grew in the past few days as the high-level delegation from the Philippines was unable to confirm his whereabouts.