NBI help a must amid conflicting reports on 18 Marines' identity — Clavano

The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday defended its decision to enlist the help of the National Bureau of Investigation in verifying the identities of the 18 personalities who introduced themselves as former members of Marines and delivered cash to several personalities upon the instruction of then Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano made the statement in response to the accusations of lawyer Ferdinand Topacio that the anti-graft body is letting itself be controlled by the Executive department in enlisting the help of the NBI, instead of being an independent constitutional office in evaluating the joint affidavit submitted to the Ombudsman by the 18 men.

“The Office of the Ombudsman has done two things in relation to this case. First, we have deputized the NBI to verify the identities and background of the affiants especially since there have been conflicting reports on who they are and where they used to serve,” Clavano said.

The Philippine Navy earlier said that four of the 18 were never members of the Navy nor the Philippine Marine Corps while many of them were discharged dishonorably from the service

“Second, the Office has sent a letter request to Atty. [Levito] Baligod to produce 18 separate affidavits lining out the narration of facts from the perspective of each person so as to produce a more accurate and credible narration of facts. As the Ombudsman has mentioned, a joint narration of facts loses credibility,” Clavano added.

He, however, clarified that the Ombudsman is yet to decide on the credibility of the allegations of the 18 men at this point. 

“It is only upon evaluation that it was found that there were 18 people that signed one affidavit. The contents may be true but the credibility will be strengthened when each one narrates the fact from their own unique perspective,” Clavano added.

The 18 men alleged that some public officials received grease money from Co to build a case against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court. 

Many of the personalities mentioned, including House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of ML party-list and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, have denied the allegations.—AOL, GMA Integrated News