NBI subpoenas bishop who witnessed affidavit of 18-ex Marines

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Wednesday said the bureau issued a subpoena to Bishop Efraim Tendero, who witnessed the affidavit of the 18 alleged former Marines.

“‘Yung sworn affidavit ngayon lang ako nakatingin na may witness. So si Pastor Efraim is also a person of interest. We also issued a subpoena sa kanya,” Matibag told reporters.

(It’s my first time seeing a witness for an affidavit. So Pastor Ephraim is also a person of interest. We also issued a subpoena to him.)

The NBI previously issued subpoenas to the Marines, lawyer Levito Baligod, and former congressman Mike Defensor after they accused several individuals of allegedly receiving cash from former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

On Tuesday, Charlie Pascual, the individual who notarized the affidavit of the Marines, appeared before the NBI and maintained that he is a legitimate lawyer.

Matibag said the lawyer gave pictures and a video of the notarization. He said that Pascual is also connected to Baligod’s law firm.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy has previously said that four of the 18 were never members of the Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps.

Some of the individuals implicated have also filed complaints against the Marines and others, including National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of the ML party-list, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, and Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr.

In a Facebook post on February 27, Tendero, a former secretary general of The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), recalled that two days before his flight to the US, he was asked "to be a witness to the signing of a sworn statement by 18 men who were enlisted personnel of the Philippine Military before a notary public."

"I confirm that I witnessed the 18 soldiers appear before the notary public, and the signing process took place," Tendero said.

However, Tendero clarified that "I do not know the group personally," noting that "they reached out to me as a religious leader who champions the call for transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance."

Tendero added that "as a witness, I don't attest to the accuracy or truth of the statements made."

GMA Integrated News has reached out to Tendero for his comment.—LDF, GMA Integrated News