Vice President Sara Duterte voiced support for a group of 18 men who identified themselves as former members of the Philippine Marines and Navy and alleged that they transported large sums of money to several high-ranking officials.
In a statement released Thursday, Duterte described their decision to speak publicly as an act of courage.
“Hanga ako sa tapang ng mga dating security personnel ni Zaldy Co na naglakas-loob magsalita batay sa kanilang personal na kaalaman tungkol sa mga usaping matagal ko nang nalalaman,” Duterte said.
She characterized their admission as a “confession” and said coming forward exposed them to potential danger.
The men claimed they were tasked with delivering P805 billion in cash to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte, and former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. They also alleged that funds were handed to former Sen. Antonio Trillanes and to personnel connected with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is conducting confirmation of charges proceedings in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case in The Hague.
Duterte linked the accusations to her long-standing assertions about foreign involvement in domestic matters. She said there had been prior information regarding alleged coordination between certain Philippine officials and ICC investigators operating within the country.
“Mula pa noon ay mayroon nang mga impormasyon hinggil sa umano’y pakikipag-ugnayan ng ilang opisyal ng Pilipinas sa mga imbestigador ng International Criminal Court (ICC) at kung ano ang ginagawa nila dito sa Pilipinas,” she said.
According to the Vice President, the statements from the former security personnel reinforced her position that ICC representatives had maintained a presence in the Philippines, including during the period she described as the supposed “kidnapping” of her father.
“Ang mga impormasyong ito ay hindi maaaring isantabi o ipagwalang-bahala,” she said.
She stressed that the issue should not be reduced to partisan conflict, framing it instead as a matter of national interest.
“Ang usaping ito ay hindi usaping pampulitika. Hindi ito simpleng alitan ng mga personalidad. Ito ay tungkol sa pangunahing prinsipyo ng ating pambansang soberanya at sa limitasyon ng panghihimasok ng mga dayuhang institusyon sa domestic affairs ng ating bansa.”
“hen we weaken the principle of sovereignty, we do not only affect one leader or one family. We affect the dignity of our country and the trust of our people in the institutions meant to protect them.”
The Philippine Navy later addressed the identities of those presented during a press conference by lawyer Levito “Levi” Baligod. Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Arlene Martinez said a review of official records showed that four of the 18 individuals were never part of either the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps.
“based on official records, four were never members of the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps,” Martinez said.
She added that most of those introduced had been dishonorably discharged from service.
Malacañang rejected the allegations outright. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed the claims as recycled falsehoods aimed at the President.
“Paulit-ulit na kasinungalingan laban sa Pangulo. Lousy script, hindi pang-award winning. Hindi malinis, alam mo na may kasinungalingan,” Castro said.
Castro also suggested that the individual who owned the vehicle that transported the men following Tuesday’s press conference could be behind the accusations.
Asked whether the administration would initiate legal action against Baligod and the former servicemen, Castro said that determining possible charges falls under the responsibility of law enforcement authorities.
“Dapat pa ba silang utusan? Hindi po, obligasyon ng NBI, PNP, (Department of Justice),” Castro said.
