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National Security Adviser Eduardo Año
Geremy Pintolo / File
MANILA, Philippines — National Security Adviser Eduardo Año filed a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding allegations that 18 former Marines received bags of money.
Año filed the criminal complaints before the DOJ on Wednesday, March 4, against the 18 former Marines, their lawyer Levi Baligod and former lawmaker Mike Defensor.
The complaint cites violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code or unlawful means of publication or unlawful utterances, according to Año. It also includes provisions under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
“If you remember, isinama nila ako sa affidavit. That is really malicious, and fabrication and bereft of truth,” Año said.
(If you remember, they included me in the affidavit. That is really malicious, and fabrication and bereft of truth.)
“So I have to protect my name, I have to defend my honor. Because I will not sell my name to anyone or any amount,” he added.
He said this is the first complaint he will file and that there are other complaints he will file.
Año dismissed the allegations against him, asserting that his entire career in the military and the Cabinet was defined by a strict policy against corruption.
“When I was DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) Secretary, my policy was 'no take, no give.' I served the Armed Forces until I became Chief of Staff under different administrations with only one motivation, love of country. I do not play politics," Año said in a mix of English and Filipino.
In the affidavit by the 18 Marines submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on February 26, they alleged that Año was allegedly seen receiving a paper bag following a meeting at the Polo Club Townhouse.
The meeting reportedly included former lawmaker Zaldy Co, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Rep. Leila De Lima.
Baligod, however, said that they had mistakenly included De Lima in the affidavit.
RELATED: Lawyer admits error in naming De Lima in cash suitcase claims
Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said that the Office of the Ombudsman deputized the bureau to investigate the “incident” of the 18 former Marines, examining their joint affidavits and allegations.
“We will investigate all the angles, lahat titingnan namin sabi ko nga lets be clear yung process ng investigation alam natin lahat, saan natin sisimulan dun sa nagrereklamo, dun sa nagsalita, so what we do pag tinginnan natin yun, we look at the personality, we look the veracity of their statements and if the evidence will lead towards their allegations dun sa mga binanggit na pangalan we will call upon them,” Matibag said.
(We will investigate all the angles, lahat titingnan namin sabi ko nga lets be clear yung process ng investigation alam natin lahat, saan natin sisimulan dun sa nagrereklamo, dun sa nagsalita, so what we do pag tiningnan natin yun, we look at the personality, we look the veracity of their statements and if the evidence will lead towards their allegations dun sa mga binanggit na pangalan we will call upon them.)
