Marilyn Cahatol

Designated bodyguard and driver Orly Guteza answers questions during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged anomalous flood control projects at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on September 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE PROBE- FLOOD CONTROL ANOMALIES

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176345231844220250925-senate-flood-control-probe-orly-guteza-JC2928.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Designated bodyguard and driver Orly Guteza answers questions during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged anomalous flood control projects at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on September 25, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Navy on Tuesday strongly refuted claims that the service, particularly the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), is holding &quot;surprise whistleblower&quot; retired Sergeant Orly Regala Guteza and his family under its custody or protection.</p><p>The Navy made the statement as former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said in a television interview that Guteza is being illegally detained by the PMC’s intelligence unit.</p><p>Defensor further claimed that members of Guteza’s family have been “rescued” and are now “safe.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/17/nbi-denies-beating-up-zaldy-co-aide-following-former-solon-s-claim-1513">NBI denies beating up Zaldy Co aide following former solon&#x27;s claim</a></div><p>Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez described the allegations as “mere speculations” that are “unfounded, unsupported by evidence and have no basis in fact.”</p><p>According to Martinez, upon learning of the renewed claims, the Navy immediately carried out a comprehensive verification, which included inspections and validations by its intelligence units.</p><p>“All findings consistently confirmed that Mr. Guteza, who has long been retired from the service, is not under the custody and protection or safekeeping of the Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps,” the official told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.</p><p>&quot;The Navy does not and will never, harbor, conceal, or shield any individual from the law,” she added. </p><p>Martinez clarified that Guteza’s family also did not communicate with the Navy or PMC.</p><p>“The family did not contact anyone from the Philippine Marine Corps nor the Navy. It was counter-checked by our intelligence units and just like what I have explained a while ago, it was comprehensively done.&quot;</p><p>Martinez underscored the military’s commitment, saying the Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will never compromise their integrity and reputation.</p><p>&quot;It is unthinkable and unacceptable for us to coddle a person called to testify before the law,” Martinez noted. </p><p>“The Philippine Navy stands guard not only over our seas, but also over the truth, the law, and the honor of the AFP,” she stressed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/30/navy-whistleblower-guteza-is-not-in-marine-custody-1224">Navy: Whistleblower Guteza is not in Marine custody</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION\</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Asked whether the Navy plans to pursue legal action against individuals spreading false claims, Martinez said the military’s immediate focus is internal.</p><p>“All the officers, enlisted personnel and civilian human resources are aware that coddling individuals and preventing individuals—protecting them without the knowledge of our major service commanders—is not allowed, because we know for a fact that only the authorized persons inside camp are the active personnel and the families,” the Navy spokesperson explained.</p><p>“So, we leave that up to the respective agencies. For the Philippine Navy, I would want to focus on the active personnel who are spreading false information. But if there would be misinformation from the outside source, we have a process for that, and we have certain agencies that would be conducting such verification and validation,” she continued.</p><p>Senators and Justice officials on Friday said the whereabouts of Guteza remain unknown following his bombshell testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee tagging high-ranking lawmakers in an alleged kickback scheme.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/-is-he-dead-or-alive-whereabouts-of-surprise-whistleblower-guteza-still-unknown-1206">&#x27;Is he dead or alive?&#x27;: Whereabouts of &#x27;surprise&#x27; whistleblower Guteza still unknown</a></div><p>Guteza, who claims to be a former staff of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/suitcases-of-money-delivered-to-romualdez-zaldy-co-houses-staff-1118">testified </a>in a Senate hearing last September that he delivered suitcases of money to the homes of Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><p>Romualdez and Co&#x27;s lawyer denied the allegations. </p><p>Following Guteza’s Senate appearance, lawyer Petchie Rose Espera <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/lawyers-says-she-did-not-notarize-sworn-statement-of-zaldy-co-s-former-consultant-2353">denied </a>notarizing or signing his affidavit.</p><p>Legal expert Egon Cayosa said Espera could file a case of perjury, introducing fraudulent evident and use of a fraudulent public document against Guteza.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/icldx0nBaWI?si=DJexUzbbF1dzcw95" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippine Navy on Tuesday strongly refuted claims that the service, particularly the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), is holding surprise whistleblower retired Sergeant Orly Regala Guteza and his family under its custody or protection.</p>

The Philippine Navy on Tuesday strongly refuted claims that the service, particularly the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), is holding surprise whistleblower retired Sergeant Orly Regala Guteza and his family under its custody or protection.

'Baseless': PH Navy denies Marines illegally detained Orly Guteza, family

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

'Baseless': PH Navy denies Marines illegally detained Orly Guteza, family

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 18, 2025 04:01 PM PHT

Read More:

Orly Guteza

Philippine Navy

Philippine Marine Corps

whistleblower

politics

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.