UPI's Poquiz hits cash deliveries 'cover-up,' defends 'ex-Marines'

Retired Major General Romeo Poquiz, the founding chairperson of the United People's Initiative (UPI), on Friday called out the alleged "cover-up" in connection with supposed large-scale cash deliveries to government officials.

In a meeting livestreamed on Facebook, Poquiz defended anew the 18 supposed former Marines who claimed to have transported the money, saying they were subjected to legal action after coming forward with the "truth."

"Ang nangyari doon, nagsabi sila ng totoo, pero may cover-up. Lumalabas na parang sila pa 'yung may kasalanan. Hindi lamang sila nagsisinungaling, parang sila pa yung masama. Tulad niyan, may kaso sila," he said.

(What happened was they told the truth, but there was a cover-up to make it look like that they are the ones at fault. They were not just accused of lying, perhaps even the ones at fault. Now, they have a case.)

He said the meeting will be a "no holds barred" discussion.

However, Poquiz and other organizers asked to cut the livestream to protect the 18 supposed ex-Marines from more possible complaints.

In March, then National Security Adviser Eduardo Año filed a cyberlibel and perjury complaint against the 18 individuals and lawyer Levito Baligod for implicating him in the controversy over alleged cash deliveries from former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

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.

The former NSA chief also filed a complaint against Baligod, the alleged former Marines, and former congressman Mike Defensor for the unlawful use of means of publication or unlawful utterances.

The UPI previously said the 18 were in hiding after they received security threats.

The Philippine Navy has said four of the 18 individuals were never members of the Navy nor the Philippine Marine Corps. — VDV, GMA News