MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. filed separate cyberlibel cases against former lawmaker Zaldy Co and the "18 ex-Marines" and their counsel Levi Baligod at the Makati City Prosecutor's Office on Thursday morning.
The 18 ex-Marines and Baligod alleged that they fetched luggage filled with money weekly at a house in a posh village in Makati owned by Tiu Laurel.
However, the Secretary said he did not know any of those 18 ex-Marines and has not lived in that village since 2018.
"My call to the 18 [ex-Marines,] please tell the truth already so that you would no longer be used by whoever is behind that," said Tiu Laurel. "I am only asking for the truth."
As for Co, the former lawmaker previously accused the Agriculture chief of asking the House of Representatives to stop its investigation on the high prices of rice after showing a confidential report that showed First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos' alleged involvement in rice smuggling.
The Secretary held a press briefing to deny Co's allegations and also revealed that the fugitive lawmaker made certain requests on the importation of fish and sugar, among others, which he turned down.
"For them to link me to him in whatever way and say I'm part of whatever that is, is a total lie," he said.
