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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-Sen Trillanes files criminal charges vs 18 'ex-marines,' lawyer Baligod, 4 others

Ex-Sen Trillanes files criminal charges vs 18 'ex-marines,' lawyer Baligod, 4 others

Published Mar 5, 2026 02:38 pm
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed criminal complaints against 18 alleged former marines and five other persons on accusations that he received $2 million as bribe for International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators who looked into the extrajudicial killings linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs war.
The complaints for perjury, incriminating an innocent person, and cyberlibel stemmed from the Feb. 24 press conference that was conducted by the 18 “former marines” who were accompanied by their legal counsel Levito Baligod.
After the filing of the complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday, March 5, Trillanes told journalists the accusation against him “is not true.”
“Wala akong natanggap na $2 million at kung ano mang halaga mula kay Zaldy Co para sa ICC operations (I did not receive $2 million or any amount from former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy Co for the ICC operations),” he pointed out.
Named in the perjury complaint are the 18 “former marines” who were identified as Belnard E. Tube, Rosebert M. Waupan, Benny S. Bulonte, Johnny A. Buduan, Rodante P. Orbillo, Reyneboy O. Julian, Christopher T. Esquivel, George O. Villalon Jr., Romeo Rommel O. Bobares, Gil N. Navidad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely G. Cadioa, Rommel C. Galapon, Ceceilio S. Larroder Jr., Bernard A. Gumban, Crusanie L. Dado, Fidel M. Corpus, and Walter M. Manalansan.
Complaints for cyberlibel and incriminating an innocent person were filed against Baligod, former congressman Michael Defensor, former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lorraine Marie T. Badoy, broadcaster Jay Sonza, and vlogger Cathay Binag.
“Kasama sila dun sa nag-circulate nitong kasinungalingan na ito (They are part of those who circulated these lies),” explained Trillanes about the complaints against the five respondents.
During an interview, Trillanes said: “Ilan d’yan sa 18 na ex-soldiers na ‘yan ay aamin kung sino talaga ang nasa likod nito at anong plano nila at kung ano man ang ibinigay sa kanila para kapalit nitong paglabas nila sa press con (a few of the ex-soldiers will eventually reveal who was behind the allegations, what were the plans, what were given in exchange for making the allegations during the press conference).”
He assured that the motives behind the allegations would come out.
He expressed his belief that the Duterte camp was behind the Feb. 24 press conference that accused the Marcos administration of having distributed billions in pesos in cash to various government officials.
“Unang-una, they stand to benefit most dito sa pangyayaring ito. Tapos marami na nakalap na ebidensya, impormasyon na nagtuturo doon sa grupo nila (First of all, they stand to benefit from what happened. Also, there are many evidence and information gathered that showed that the group was behind this),” he explained.
Trillanes noted that the lawyer of former president Duterte had in the latter’s case before the ICC at The Hague in Netherlands had said they will use the allegations of the 18 “former marines.”
“Kahapon sinabi n’ya na gagamitin n’ya (Duterte’s lawyer) etong mga alegasyon na ito, mga ginawa nila Levy Baligod. So, hindi natin papayagan ‘yan. Kaya eto may kaso tayo ngayon (Duterte’s lawyer said yesterday that he will use the allegations made by the group of Baligod. So, we will not allow this.),” Trillanes said.
He admitted that he has been in contact with the ICC since 2017 when he filed a case against Duterte.
“I never denied anything. Sinabi ko, inaamin ko, nakikipag-ugnayan ako sa kanila (I said and admitted that I have been interacting with them),” said Trillanes who refused to provide details due to security concerns for the ICC officials and witnesses.
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