Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

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/1771981734313474939351_628968919494376_3644943176159470694_n_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>📷༘ Philippine Marine Corps/Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Four of the 18 individuals presented by a private lawyer as alleged former “bagmen” were never members of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), the Philippine Navy said Wednesday.</p><p>In a statement, Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Arlene Martinez said “based on official records, four were never members of the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps,” after verifying the identities and service records of the individuals introduced during a press conference by Levito “Levi” Baligod.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/afp-verifying-involvement-of-active-duty-soldier-in-alleged-destabilization-1429">‘No coup, no junta’: AFP verifying involvement of active-duty soldier in alleged destabilization</a></div><p>Baligod had claimed that the 18 individuals served as “bagmen” who delivered P805 billion to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.</p><p>According to Martinez, majority of those presented were dishonorably discharged from the service, while others were able to retire in good standing.</p><p>“With regard to Mr. Guteza, we reiterate that he has been retired from the service since June 2020 and is no longer under the administrative authority of the Philippine Navy,” the official said.</p><p>The Navy reminded the public to be discerning and to verify the accuracy and credibility of information, including the source and platform used, to help prevent and counter misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. </p><p>“The Philippine Navy respects and adheres to constitutional processes, including judicial and legislative inquiries. The Navy does not and will never prevent any individual from testifying the truth, as doing so would go against our core values and principles,” Martinez said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/ph-navy-flags-espionage-trend-after-arrests-of-suspected-chinese-spies-1422">PH Navy flags &#x27;espionage trend&#x27; after arrests of suspected Chinese spies</a></div><p>She emphasized that the Navy remains a professional, disciplined and non-partisan organization that will not compromise its values, integrity and reputation, and remains steadfast in its mandate to defend the country’s sovereignty and serve the Filipino people.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also took note of the allegations aired during the press conference.</p><p>AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the statements made in the public forum must be evaluated through proper legal and investigative processes before competent authorities.</p><p>He cautioned against grandstanding and the manipulative use of legitimate media to spread unverified claims that may contribute to disinformation.</p><p>“The Filipino people deserve facts, and we urge all parties to allow lawful processes to take their course,” Trinidad said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ph_j7EnrUE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Four of the 18 individuals presented by a private lawyer as alleged former “bagmen” were never members of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), the Philippine Navy said Wednesday.</p>

Four of the 18 individuals presented by a private lawyer as alleged former “bagmen” were never members of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), the Philippine Navy said Wednesday.

PH Navy: 4 of 18 presented as ‘bagmen’ were never Marines

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PH Navy: 4 of 18 presented as ‘bagmen’ were never Marines

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 25, 2026 09:10 AM PHT

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Philippines Marines

Philippine Navy

alleged bagmen

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