Malacañang defended the description of the 18 alleged former Marines linked to the ongoing Senate investigation into the flood control controversy, saying they may be referred to in various ways, including “kargadores” or “basureros.”
During a Palace press briefing on Monday, June 8, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro reacted to remarks made during the Senate hearing, where Sen. Raffy Tulfo reportedly referred to the group as “18 kargadores” instead of “18 ex-Marines.”
“Actually, 18 maleta boys, 18 basurero, pwede po silang i-describe na ganoon sa ating pananaw,” Castro said.
She added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had requested that the individuals no longer be called “ex-Marines” since they are no longer in active military service.
“Nakiusap lang naman po ang AFP na huwag nang tawagin na sila ay ex-Marines dahil sila po ay wala na sa serbisyo,” Castro explained. “Ang request nga po ng AFP ay kung maaari, tawagin na lamang silang 18 witnesses or 18 bodyguards.”
Castro further defended the use of the term “basurero,” saying, “Bakit basurero? Di ba mga basura ang kanilang sinasabing kinukuha at dinadala?”
The remarks came amid the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, where the 18 individuals were reportedly expected to appear as witnesses but failed to attend the hearing.
