Trillanes files complaints vs. 18 ex-Marines, Baligod, Defensor and others

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday filed a perjury complaint against 18 former Marines and others with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of a scheme involving International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators.

He also filed complaints for cyberlibel against lawyer Levito Baligod, former Congressman Mike Defensor, former broadcaster Jay Sonza, former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy, and vlogger Cathy Binag.

“Hindi po totoo ‘yan. Wala akong natanggap na $2 million para sa ICC operations. So itong ginawa nila ay paninira lang hindi lang sa akin kung hindi doon din sa imbestigador ng ICC,” Trillanes said in an ambush interview.

(This is not true. I did not accept $2 million for ICC operations. They are trying to destroy not only but the ICC investigators as well.)

GMA News Online has reached out to Baligod, Defensor, Sonza, Badoy, and Binag for comments, but they have yet to reply as of posting time. 

To recall, 18 supposed former marines claimed that Trillanes facilitated the entry of at least five ICC investigators. They alleged that he received $2 million from Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co for the ICC investigation. 

The former senator, however, admitted to coordinating with the ICC.

“Hindi ko kinakaila na since 2017 nakikipag ugnayan ako sa ICC pagkalap ng ebidensya, testigo, at lahat ng kailangang gawin para palakasin ‘yung kaso laban kay Duterte,” he said.

(I do not deny that since 2017 I have been coordinating with the ICC in gathering evidence, witnesses, and everything needed to strengthen the case against Duterte.)

Trillanes also said he is still coordinating with the ICC and that he will not stop until former President Rodrigo Duterte is sentenced.

Duterte camp

He said he believes that the Duterte camp is behind the allegations.

According to Trillanes, he suspects that Duterte’s legal counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, will use the allegations in the former official’s trial at the ICC.

“Ang nasa likod nitong pagkilos nila na ‘yan ay ang Duterte camp. So marami pang ongoing ‘yung imbestigasyon ngayon, eh, no, at marami tayong nalalaman,” he said.

(Behind their actions is the Duterte camp. So there are still many ongoing investigations right now, and we are learning a lot.)

“At kinalaunan, ilan diyan sa 18 ex-soldiers na ‘yan ay aamin kung sino talaga ang nasa likod na ito, anong plano nila, at kung ano man ang binigay sa kanila para kapalit nito,” he added.

(And eventually, some of those 18 ex-soldiers will admit who is really behind this, what their plan is, and whatever was given to them in exchange for this.)

Trillanes said he believes that the Duterte camp stands to benefit the most from the controversy. He said that he has also gathered information supposedly pointing to them.

GMA News Online has reached out to former presidential spokesperson and legal counsel Salvador Panelo III for comment, but he has yet to reply as of posting time. 

Earlier this week, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that he met with ICC presonnel to discuss the protection of Filipino witnesses. He said that Trillianes introduced him to the ICC personnel around a year ago to discuss witness protection.

When asked about Remulla’s statement, Trillanes said he could not divulge the details of the meeting.

“Hindi ko pwedeng sabihin anong detalye nung mga meeting, kung sino nakausap, kung saan, kailan, dahil ito ay maglalagay sa peligro nung mga involved na tao. ICC investigators man o ‘yung mga testigo na nakausap,” he said.

(I cannot say the details of the meetings, who I talked to, where, or when, because this would put the people involved in danger, whether ICC investigators or the witnesses who were spoken to.)

The former president is facing charges of crimes against humanity for murder and attempted murder over alleged killings during his time as mayor and president.

He was read his charges during a four-day confirmation of charges hearing from February 23 to February 27. —VAL, GMA Integrated News