FOUR of the 18 alleged former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co have recanted their statements regarding the alleged delivery of millions of pesos in cash, packed in suitcases, to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and several other personalities.
In an interview with reporters, Levito “Levi” Baligod, who serves as the legal counsel of the former security personnel of Co, said Belnard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulontate, and Cecilio Larroder recanted their earlier statements for personal reasons.
“Sabi nila takot na sila sa security nila at gusto manahimik kasi hirap din sa byahe papunta pabalik sa Manila,” he said.
(They said they were already afraid for their safety and just wanted to keep a low profile, especially since traveling back and forth to Manila has also been difficult.)
While Baligod said he understands the decision of the four individuals, he denied allegations that he had coerced them into giving statements against Marcos, Romualdez, and several others, or that he had failed to fulfill a promise of cash in exchange for their testimonies.
“Nagpapaalam sila na pagbibigyan ang kabila. Naintindihan ko ang sitwasyon nila pero wag nilang sabihin na pagkakakitaan ko sila at meron kaming scam na gustong isagawa kaya ginawa nila itong affidavit or na pinilit o tinakot sila, or prinomisan ko sila ng limpak-limpak na salapi,” the lawyer said.
(They informed me that they were going to side with the other camp. I understand their situation, but they should not claim that I was using them for financial gain, that we were carrying out a scam, that they executed those affidavits because they were forced or threatened, or that I promised them huge sums of money.)
Baligod, after the interview, accompanied the 14 ex-bodyguards in posting bail on the perjury complaints filed against them by Representative Leila de Lima, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, former National Security adviser Eduardo Año, and Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. in relation to the delivery of cash in suitcases.
George Villalon, one of the 14 former bodyguards who stood by their statements, expressed anger toward his former comrades, claiming they had been offered between P20 million and P25 million to recant their earlier testimonies.
“Sana napag-isipan ninyo mabuti ang sinasasabi ninyo. Retired kayo na marines pero anong ginawa nyo? Nagpadala sa pera. Sana maisipan mong mabuti na nag-usap-usap kayo na bumaligtad kayo,” said Villaon.
(I hope you carefully thought about what you're saying. You are retired Marines, yet what did you do? You gave in to money. I hope you reflect on your decision to come together and reverse your earlier statements.)
In a press conference, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla expressed strong belief that Romualdez is behind the recantation of the four individuals.
“Syempre siya ang nasa likod. Sino pa ba makikinabang pag nagrecant yan? (Of course, he is behind it. Who else would benefit if they recant?)” he said.
Baligod said of the four, three issued affidavits that were used by the Ombudsman against Romualdez. He believed, however, that Trillanes was behind the recantation.
The Ombudsman earlier said they are preparing a "grand case" against Romualdez for alleged conspiracy to defraud the national treasury and money laundering in connection with an alleged anomalous budget insertion scheme involving billions of pesos in flood control funds.
Remulla is confident that they have already built a strong case against Romualdez.
“Neither (weaken or strengthen the case against Romualdez), it just points out that there are people working on his behalf to obstruct the ends of justice, making people lie,” he said.
Remulla said the agency stands by its findings based on the initial affidavits submitted by the four individuals against Romualdez, adding that it will be up to the court to assess and determine their credibility.
He said the four individuals who recanted their statements will also be listed as co-respondents of Romualdez for trying to cover him up.
Meanwhile, Trillanes said he will drop the charges he filed against the four individuals after they recanted their statements.
During the June hearing of the Senator Pia Cayetano-led Blue Ribbon Committee on alleged anomalous flood control projects, Tube said he personally accompanied Co in delivering five pieces of luggage containing cash to Marcos in Ilocos using an aircraft owned by his former employer sometime in 2022.
He said First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son Sandro were also in the house where they spent a night.
Tube also recalled an instance where he claimed he accompanied Co in a money exchange office in Makati where they bought US dollars’ worth P50 to P60 million.
He said they put it in one luggage and handed it over to Romualdez, who was then in a meeting with Trillanes and investigators from the International Criminal Court.
Waupan, for his part, said he was involved in the delivery of cash to Trillanes which they believed was intended for the ICC investigators.
The former bodyguards of Co similarly claimed that they personally delivered or were aware of the delivery of cash in suitcases, which they call “basura,” in Romualdez’ residences in Forbes Park and in Taguig City. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)