Did Orly Guteza hide at PH Marine Corps? Brawner orders probe

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said he has ordered an investigation to determine if Orly Guteza, who emerged as a "surprise witness" in the Senate's flood control projects corruption probe, hid at the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).

“Noong nakita ko 'yung balita, noong nalaman ko nga na sinabing nasa custody ng Philippine Marines si Guteza, I immediately had my staff investigate kung nandoon,” Brawner said in an ambush interview during the pre-departure ceremony for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday.

“When I saw the news, when I found out that Guteza was allegedly in the custody of the Philippine Marines, I immediately had my staff investigate if he was there.)

“Sa ngayon ay wala pong feedback sa akin (So far, there has been no feedback to me),” he added.

Brawner said that the AFP has no intention to stop Guteza from testifying in the investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

“Sa tingin naman po natin kung pinoprotektahan lamang siya because of threats to his life ay sa tingin ko ay wala namang masama doon. But, if to keep him from testifying, baka yun po ang magiging violation,” he said.

(I think that if he is only being protected because of threats to his life, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. But, if to keep him from testifying, maybe that would be a violation.)

On Thursday, the Philippine Navy said Guteza is not under the protection of the PMC.

Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez said Guteza has been retired from the PMC since June 30, 2020. 

"As a retired serviceman, he no longer falls under the administrative authority of the Philippine Navy. Any engagements or interactions he may have at present are undertaken in his personal capacity," she said.

"It must be also made clear that Mr. Orly Regala Guteza is not under the protection of the Philippine Marine Corps, which has no involvement in his personal affairs," she added.

On September 30, former Anakalusagan party-list Representative Mike Defensor said Guteza was under the protection of his fellow ex-Marines.

"Magmula noon, nakakuha na lang ako ng mga mensahe doon sa kaibigan niya. Ang binabanggit, nandoon nga siya sa mga kasama niya na mga Marino at pinoproteksyunan siya, sila mismo nagbibigay ng proteksyon sa kanya," Defensor had said.

(Since then, I only got messages from Guteza’s friend. I was told he is with his fellow Marines who are giving him protection.) 

"As to the whereabouts now, hindi ko talaga masabi (I can't say). Pero meron namang komunikasyon kahit papaano (But we have communication somehow)," Defensor also said earlier.

House infrastructure panel chairperson Terry Ridon on Wednesday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) should prosecute Guteza and others over the latter's allegedly questionable affidavit.

On Tuesday, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the executive judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court has issued a resolution stating that the signature on Guteza's affidavit was not that of lawyer Petchie Rose Espera, whose name appeared on the document.

Guteza was introduced in a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on September 25 by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who said the man reached out to him through the help of Defensor.

He claimed that he is a former security consultant for former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and that he personally delivered suitcases of money to the residences of Co and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez. 

Guteza also claimed that Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, a former representative of the ACT-CIS party-list, delivered 46 suitcases of money to Co’s residence.

These allegations were all denied by Co, Romualdez, and Yap, saying Guteza's accusations are baseless.—AOL, GMA Integrated News