A GROUP of 18 former soldiers submitted a petition to the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, alleging that they brought billions of pesos to high-ranking government officials.
The whistleblowers, most of whom were former personnel of the Philippine Marine Corps and the Philippine Army, submitted a 31-page joint affidavit through lawyer Levito D. Baligod, detailing their role as “security liaisons” of the former Elizaldy S. Co. Group member.
The affidavit states that the main duty of the soldiers was to escort the assistants who transported suitcases and paper bags full of money, referred to in the document as “garbage” (garbage).
Large suitcases carry P50 million to P70 million, medium ones P30 million to P40 million and small ones P15 million to P25 million, according to former soldiers. The paper bags reportedly contained P5 million to P10 million, while the envelopes contained an estimated P2 million.
In cases where the suitcases ran out, they said they were instructed to buy boxes or boxes to store the remaining money.
The transfer of the names of seven members of parliament, 26 congressmen and several government officials. Many are described as “professional staff” while the Ombudsman investigates claims.
The affidavit also reveals that from 2023 to 2025, the former soldiers provided security for International Court of Justice (ICC) investigators working undercover in the Philippines to investigate the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The organization claims that senior Cabinet officials met privately with the investigators despite the government’s policy of non-cooperation with the ICC.
The Office of the Ombudsman clarified that the submission is currently classified as an “affidavit transfer” and has not yet reached the status of a certified complaint to initiate a trial.
“This document will be made through the standard examination system,” he said. “This includes the determination of adequacy in type and substance, capacity and the existence of a primary basis for proceeding, if appropriate.”
It cited its independence and noted that the political situation would not affect the assessment of the content of the affidavit or the credibility of the former soldiers.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo M. Lacson said the panel will first review the claims of the former soldiers before deciding whether to hold formal hearings.
“We will first examine the source of the information, in this case the 18 seamen who appeared at the press conference last Tuesday,” he said in a statement. “The second is the credibility or trustworthiness of the information itself, meaning the content of their affidavit.”
Mr. Lacson also questioned the magnitude of the alleged money transfer, noting that the P805 billion mentioned in the affidavit would require at least 13,400 large suitcases, not including the smaller ones.
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte is now in ICC custody as he awaits trial for crimes against humanity after the government handed him over to the International Criminal Police Organization last year.
Mr. Lacson said he asked the Philippine Navy and the Army to verify the military records of the 18 former soldiers.
The Navy said four of the team were never members, and most of the others were wrongfully discharged.
National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año, who was also named in the affidavit, dismissed the allegations. “I reject and condemn the brutal, unsigned affidavit purportedly from 18 Marines who accused me of finding a paper bag after a town meeting at the Polo Club,” he said in a statement.
He added that his lawyers will take steps to protect his reputation. He explained the timing of the affidavit, during the ongoing ICC hearing and 40th commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution, as a political sensibility.
Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go were previously named as participants in the ICC proceedings targeting former Mr. Duterte.
The court accused them of involvement in the proceedings that led to the extrajudicial killings, although no arrests have been made. The affidavit of the ex-soldiers reveals allegations of collusion with ICC investigators, prompting further scrutiny of the court’s investigation.
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said the testimony of former soldiers reinforces her suspicions of foreign involvement in Philippine affairs.
In a statement, Ms. Duterte said their accounts are consistent with information she has had for a long time about collusion between certain Philippine officials and ICC investigators.
“Sovereignty should not depend on who is benefiting and should not change with the political mood,” he said. “If we weaken the principle of sovereignty, we are not only affecting one leader or one family, we are affecting the dignity of our country and the trust of our people in the institutions that are meant to protect them.”
Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 317, which calls for an investigation into the money laundering and former military cooperation with the ICC.
Mr. Lacson said the committee will begin a preliminary investigation to determine if the allegations merit a full investigation, focusing on consistency, credibility and consistency with known facts. – Erika Mae P. Sinaking again Adrian H. Halili
