18 'ex-Marines' seek more time to file counter-affidavits

The camp of the 18 individuals who introduced themselves as former Marines and soldiers has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) for an extension to file their counter-affidavits over complaints lodged against them in connection with their allegations involving alleged cash deliveries from former lawmaker Zaldy Co, their lawyer said Monday.

“Yes, we did,” lawyer Levito Baligod said in an ambush interview when asked if they had sought an extension.

Baligod attended the preliminary investigation into the complaints filed by House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. against the 18 former marines.

The complaints include cyberlibel and perjury.

The cases stemmed from allegations made by the 18 individuals linking several officials and personalities to supposed cash deliveries from Co.

Baligod said they would file their counter-affidavits on May 25.

Meanwhile, when asked about the condition of the former Marines, Baligod claimed they were being offered millions of pesos in exchange for retracting their statements.

“Ang kondisyon nila ay bibigyan sila ng pera at uuwi na sila sa kani-kanilang mga probinsya at huwag na magpakita, huwag nang bumalik sa Manila, at huwag na nilang panindigan ang kanilang sinumpaang salaysay,” he said.

(The condition was that they would be given money, return to their respective provinces, stop showing themselves publicly, not come back to Manila, and no longer stand by their sworn statements.)

Baligod alleged that the offers came from the camps of the individuals named by the former Marines, as well as from five former media operators of Co, but did not provide further details.—MCG, GMA News