The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) disclosed on Wednesday that a retired general recruited 103 individuals to serve as resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co’s security aides.
In an interview, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said that this number includes the 18 who came forward claiming to have been members of the Philippine Marine Corps and Co’s bagmen, as reported by RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort.
However, Matibag declined to identify the retired general, who is part of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1975. The unnamed military retiree may be issued a subpoena in the following days.
Of the 18, the NBI has only ascertained that eight of the self-proclaimed former marines did not actually work for the resigned lawmaker. The employer of these eight men appeared before the NBI last Friday, Matibag revealed.
In addition, he confirmed that four of the 18 were never part of the military.
“Mayroon din kaming sertipikasyon at pruweba na ‘yung 18, apat doon, ay driver-bodyguard, hindi po marines lahat. So dapat, ang tawag sa kanila, 14 marines and others… Tapos isa pang lumalabas, hindi naman lahat sila ay naglingkod kay Zaldy Co as close-in bodyguard. ‘Yung walo po, identified na namin kung sino talaga ang pinaglilingkuran (as) driver at bodyguard,” he said.
“Hindi ko pa rin po sigurado kung sampu, lahat kay Zaldy Co. Ang sigurado po ako, ‘yung walo, hindi kay Zaldy Co naglingkod. Although inamin ni Atty. Baligod na 103 assigned na bodyguard kay Zaldy Co. Mayroon pong retired general na nag-recruit sa kanila, identified na rin po namin,”
The director told the press that Co’s security detail was never paid after the congressman’s disappearance. Without a source of income, Matibag said it was possible they had received a bribe in exchange for their testimonies.
“Mayroon po kasing mga istoryang lumalabas na they’re supposed to be employed for the period of two years, pero, naputol nga, dahil wala na nga si Zaldy Co. So these bodyguards, including ‘yung mga retired marines, ay hindi na po nakakuha ng sahod nila, at nawalan ng trabaho… These people, wala silang livelihood, walang kabuhayan. So baka mamaya officiated ‘yung consent nila sa paggawa ng mga salaysay dahil kailangan nila ng kabayaran. Sinisigurado natin na walang panunuhol, walang pananakot doon sa pagbibigay nila ng kanilang testimonya,” Matibag said.
The 18 so-called ex-marines may be cited in contempt should they disregard the subpoena issued against them.
