Article by:
Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued subpoenas to the 18 alleged former Marines who claimed they delivered bags of cash to current and former government officials.
Also subpoenaed were former congressman Mike Defensor, lawyer Levito Baligod, and the unnamed lawyer who notarized the former Marines' affidavits, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said on Friday.
"We are deputized by the Ombudsman to investigate the issue," Matibag said in an interview with reporters.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV have filed complaints against the group before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In a press conference last month, Baligod presented the 18 former Marines who allegedly witnessed deliveries of up to PHP805 billion in alleged kickbacks to politicians from anomalous flood control projects.
The Marines said they were former aides of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co, a key figure in the flood control controversy.
Malacañang described the group's allegations as a "lousy script" that is "not award-worthy," and urged law enforcement agencies to take appropriate action. (PNA)
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