Eduardo Año files raps vs. 18 'ex-Marines,' Defensor, Baligod

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday filed a complaint against former congressman Mike Defensor, lawyer Levito Baligod, and 18 alleged former Marines for implicating him in the controversy over alleged cash deliveries from former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co.

In an ambush interview, Año said the complaint alleged a violation of Article 154, or the unlawful use of means of publication or unlawful utterances, of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

"If you remember, sinama nila ako doon sa affidavit (they included me in the affidavit)… and that is really malicious and fabrication and bereft of truth. So I have to protect my name, I have to defend my honor, because I will not sell my name to anyone or to any amount," he said.

According to Año, Defensor is a respondent as he lent his vehicles.

"Inamin ni Mike Defensor na tinulungan niya, siya nag-provide ng mga sasakyan para magkaroon ng unlawful utterances at unlawful publication," he said.

(Mike Defensor admitted that he helped them, he provided vehicles that enabled the unlawful utterances and unlawful publication to be made.)

To recall, Año was accused of receiving a paper bag after a meeting at the Polo Club townhouse with Co, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila De Lima.

"Unang-una, sa buong buhay ko hindi ako naka-attend ng kahit anong meeting with Speaker Romualdez, with Zaldy Co, and with Leila de Lima," he said.

(First of all, I have never attended any meeting with Speaker Romualdez, with Zaldy Co, and with Leila de Lima in my entire life.)

"Kahit si Congresswoman Leila De Lima, sinabi na niya 'yan. Never in our lives na nagkaroon kami ng meeting na gan'on, much more na tatanggap ako ng paper bag," he added.

(Even Congresswoman Leila De Lima has already said that. Never in our lives have we had a meeting like that, much less that I would receive a paper bag.)

Año said that when he was secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, his policy was "no take, no give."

"I do not play politics. Politics is not my blood and I will never run in any elective position. Trabaho lang ako para sa aking bansa. Makatulong sa aking mga kababayan. That's all," he said.

(I do not play politics. Politics is not my blood and I will never run in any elective position. I just work for my country. To help my fellow citizens. That’s all.)

He said that he is preparing to file complaints for cyber libel and perjury. 

Meanwhile, Año called on the former Marines to tell the truth.

He said that it is a shame regarding their service.

"Huwag kayo magpa-manipulate. Kung ano ang totoo 'yun ang sabihin niyo. Because hindi kayo makakaligtas dito kung kasinungalingan ang sinabi ninyo, kakarmahin kayo," he said.

(Do not allow yourselves to be manipulated. Speak the truth. Because you will not be able to escape accountability if you lie; you will receive bad karma.)

Several other government officials and individuals mentioned have denied the allegations against them. Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy saying that four of the 18 were never members of the Navy nor the Philippine Marine Corps. — VDV, GMA Integrated News