THE Philippine Navy on Wednesday denied accusations that its personnel acted as “bagmen” delivering suitcases of cash to politicians and foreign officials.
The Navy responded to allegations raised by lawyer Levito Baligod. It said it verified the identities and service records of the 18 men introduced at a press briefing earlier this week who allegedly delivered money tied to a multibillion-peso corruption scheme.
”Based on official records, four were never members of the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps,” said Capt. Marie Angelica Sisican, director of the Naval Public Affairs Office. She added that “the majority of the individuals were discharged dishonorably from the service, while others were able to retire in good standing.” The claims, which Baligod presented alongside affidavits from the group of ex-Marines, alleged repeated deliveries of cash-filled luggage to unnamed politicians.
The Navy urged the public to be cautious of unverified information, stressing that allegations should be examined through appropriate legal and investigative channels.
”We remind the public to be discerning and to verify the accuracy and credibility of information,” Sisican said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) issued a similar warning, saying such statements must be evaluated through proper legal and investigative processes before competent authorities.
”In cases [where involved personalities are already retired], they are acting in their personal capacity; they are no longer under the purview of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” AFP spokesman Col. Francel Padilla told reporters on Wednesday.
”Their statements and actions do not represent the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Padilla said.
Padilla added that the only political personalities given security details by the AFP are the president, vice president and the first family. Lawmakers are not entitled to security details from the military, she said.
The Navy noted that one of the central figures in the allegations — retired MSgt. Orly Regala Guteza — has not been under its administrative authority since his retirement in 2020.
Baligod said he plans to file complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman and share the alleged affidavits with the International Criminal Court (ICC), but those claims have been denied by several parties named in the accusations, including former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who called the assertions a bid to discredit ongoing international proceedings.
Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos sought an inquiry into the alleged delivery of illicit money in large suitcases to several lawmakers by 18 Marine and Army troopers upon the orders of former speaker Martin Romualdez and former representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.
The senator also pressed for an inquiry into the soldiers’ claim that Trillanes received money to fund the activities of ICC representatives in their investigation of extrajudicial killings in the country during the Duterte administration.
Marcos filed a resolution seeking the probe following the allegation by Baligod that Co tapped 16 members of the Philippine Marines, a former Philippine Army soldier and an Army reservist to deliver the money.
During a press conference, Baligod discussed the soldiers’ sworn statements, which include allegations that they delivered money to the house of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Ilocos Norte.
”The allegations in the joint affidavit are extremely alarming and serious, involving dozens of lawmakers, Cabinet officials, high government officials and even the president himself,” Marcos said.
”Aside from corruption and kickbacks, the joint affidavit also bares the secret cooperation between the ICC and the present administration, contrary to the denial under oath of key administration officials,” she said.
”If the averments in the joint affidavit are true, then it would mean that not only did the Philippine government cooperate with the ICC, it did so with use of illicit funds,” Marcos added.
She sought the “immediate protection” of the witnesses and the preservation of evidence against the recipients of the money, “considering the gravity of the allegations in the joint affidavit.” The former military personnel claimed that Co shouldered the accommodations of the ICC probers. They claimed that the foreigners met with Trillanes, Romualdez and Co in Makati City.
They alleged that from 2023 to 2025, they were ordered to deliver money to Trillanes to be used for expenses related to the activities of ICC investigators. Trillanes denied this.
Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed the allegations linking Marcos to the delivery of suitcases of cash tied to flood control project anomalies as a “lousy script.” Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said law enforcement agencies should act against those spreading false information.
”Repeated lies against the president. It’s a lousy script, not award-winning. It’s not clean — you know there’s falsehood in it,” Castro said during a press conference.
The Palace official said those behind the allegations may not be new players, hinting at a possible coordinated effort.
”Who is behind this? Perhaps you should find out who owns the vehicle that picked them up after their press briefing. I believe you won’t be surprised; same people,” she said.
Castro urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the claims and hold those behind the accusations accountable.
”No. It is the obligation of the NBI, PNP and the Department of Justice,” Castro said when asked whether the Palace would file charges.
”The NBI and the PNP are there — they should look into this. It is their obligation to charge those spreading fake news. Do they still need to be ordered?” she added. WITH CATHERINE S. VALENTE