Esperon backs 18 alleged ex-Marines on cash delivery claims

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, retired General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., expressed support Thursday to the 18 personalities who introduced themselves as former Marines and claimed delivering suitcases of money to several politicians upon the instruction of resigned Ako Bikol representative Zaldy Co.

Super Radyo dzBB's Glen Juego reported that Esperon attended the press conference with some of the former Marines. 

"Full support ako sa kanilang pagsasabi at full support din ako sa kailangan na pag- imbestiga. 'Wag natin hayaan na hanggang doon na lang, kailangang imbestigahan kasi napakaraming lead na binigay nila," Esperon told reporters. 

(I fully support their claims and fully support that there is a need to conduct an investigation. Let us not allow that it will end just like that, investigation is needed because they provided several leads.)

"Sobrang kaligayahan ko at nakausap ko ang magigiting na Marines, talaga namang dapat silang ikarangal...Palagay ko dapat lang na pakinggan natin sila, meron silang sinasabi. Tignan natin kung nagsasabi sila ng totoo, imbestigahan, hindi yung sasabihin na walang kwentang tao 'yan," he added.

(I am so happy that I was able to talk to these brave Marines, they should be recognized...I think we should listen to what they are saying. Let us look if they are really telling the truth, we should investigate, we should not just dismiss them.)

The radio report said only 11 of the 18 alleged former Marines attended the press conference, citing alleged security concerns.

Rodante Ordillo, one of the alleged bodyguards of Co, slammed former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla for their alleged contradicting statements over their meeting with the International Criminal Court investigators.

Remulla previously said he met with the ICC personnel to discuss the protection of Filipino witnesses in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Isa sa 18 nagpakilalang sundalo at bodyguards ni dating Cong. Zaldy Co, kinuwestyon ang umano'y magkasalungat na pahayag ni @OmbudsmanPh Jesus Crispin Remulla at dating Sen. @TrillanesSonny kaugnay sa kanilang naging pagpupulong. | via @glenjuego pic.twitter.com/r89Z9Pvjgm

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 5, 2026

Those who attended the press conference said their statements have nothing to do with politics. They also urged the public to listen them instead of maligning or pressuring them, according to GMA Integrated News' Maki Pulido.

They clarified some of their colleagues only saw Trillanes allegedly having a meeting with the ICC investigators while others said they supposedly delivered paper bags to the ex-legislator. This was because they have different duties.

They also did not provide other details on their alleged delivery to Ilocos Norte and said they delivered to a residence near a lake in Paoay.

They further said in 2025 they saw Leila de Lima exiting a townhouse in Forbes in carrying a paper bag.

Former representative Mike Defensor was present during the press conference but lawyer Levito Baligod was not around. 

The press conference was cut short due to alleged security concerns. No further details were provided to the  media.

To recall, the 18 personalities, with the assistance of Baligod, accused several individuals of allegedly receiving cash from Co.

They also claimed that Trillanes facilitated the entry of at least five ICC investigators and alleged that he received $2 million from Co for the ICC investigation.

The government officials and individuals mentioned have denied the allegations against them, with the Philippine Navy saying that four of the 18 were never members of the Navy nor the Philippine Marine Corps.

Philippine Marine Corps commandant Major General Vicente Blanco III even criticized their former members for their involvement in a press conference regarding the supposed deliveries of cash to various politicians.— Sundy Locus and Maki Pulido/AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News