Palace tells ‘ex-Marines:’ Don’t let yourselves be used to destroy PH

Malacañang on Friday advised the individuals who claimed to be former members of the Philippine Marine Corps to not allow themselves to be used by the people behind the money delivery scheme allegations, as it would not be good for the country. 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said this in a press briefing when asked if she believes that the supposed ex-Marines were only used to air the accusations that billions worth of cash were delivered to certain government officials, including President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

“Malamang. Pero wala po tayong partikular na impormasyon patungkol po diyan. Kung anong nais nila, hindi po natin batid pero ang mga nasa likod nito, alam naman natin kung anong gusto nila,” Castro said. 

(Probably. But we don't have any specific information about that. We don't know what they want, but what we do know is what those behind those allegations want.) 

“At sana bilang Pilipino, huwag na lamang po silang magpagamit at makakasira po ito para sa ating bansa at para sa maganda sanang pagsulong ng ating bansa. Huwag na po silang magpagamit bilang Pilipino,” she added. 

(And I hope as Filipinos, they don't let themselves get used as it will be destructive for our country and for the progress of our country. I hope that as Filipinos, they won’t allow that to happen.) 

The 18 supposed ex-Marines earlier claimed to have been employed by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co as personal assistants and security consultants. 

They and lawyer Levito "Levy" Baligod even alleged that Co and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV "funded" the hotel accommodations for investigators from the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

Both the ICC and Trillanes have denied the allegations. 

Castro also once again slammed former Anakalusugan party-list representative Mike Defensor over his involvement in the issue, calling him a former secretary of the “Dirty Tricks Department.”

She also shrugged off the allegations of Vice President Sara Duterte that certain Philippine officials have long been coordinating with the ICC investigators. 

“Patungkol po sa sinabing pakikipag-cooperate sa ICC, nananatili po tayo na ang ginagawa lang ng administrasyon ay ang pagtupad sa sarili nating batas at ang ating obligasyon sa INTERPOL pati na po ang tinatawag nating residual obligation. Malamang nakakapagsabi lamang siya nito dahil ang ama niya ang nililitis ngayon sa ICC,” Castro said. 

(Regarding the alleged cooperation with the ICC, we maintain that what the administration is doing is implementing our own law and our obligation to INTERPOL, as well as what we call our residual obligation. She is probably only able to say this because her father is now being tried at the ICC.) 

“At patungkol sa 18 na former Marines na ang apat doon ay hindi pala—doon pa lamang ay masasabi natin, ‘Oops, may nagsisinungaling!’ So, ang ibig bang sabihin nito ay nasa likod din ba ang Bise Presidente sa mga tinuturan nitong labingwalo na nakasama sa presscon na sinundo diumano ni Mike Defensor?” Castro said. 

(Regarding the 18 supposed former Marines, four of whom are not really Marines—from there we can say that someone is really lying. So, does this mean that the Vice President is also behind the allegation of the 18 men who attended the presscon and allegedly picked up by Mike Defensor?)

Earlier on Friday, Defensor admitted helping the 18 personalities, but denied hand in their affidavit. The former lawmaker said the 18 were only in direct contact with their counsel, Atty. Levito Baligod. —AOL, GMA Integrated News