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/1772098195852photo-collage.png (2)_cropped_processed_by_imagy.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Lawyer Levito “Levi” Baligod, accompanied by his legal team, files a formal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, February 26, following allegations from active and retired Marines that certain congresswomen received unlawfully obtained government funds. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News<br/></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has branded as “opportunistic” the group of individuals claiming to be “bagmen” of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.</p><p>In a statement on Thursday, PMC Commandant Major General Vicente Blanco III underscored that individuals who were dishonorably discharged from the service cannot be considered true Marines and have no moral authority to invoke the adage “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/25/ph-navy-4-of-18-presented-as-bagmen-were-never-marines-0910">PH Navy: 4 of 18 presented as ‘bagmen’ were never Marines</a></div><p>Reiterating the Corps’ time-honored ethos and strong esprit de corps, Blanco stressed that the Marine identity is inseparable from honor, discipline, and integrity—values that must be upheld both in and out of uniform.</p><p>“It is unfortunate that in the recent press conference called by a private lawyer, three retired Marines involved themselves,” Blanco said.</p><p>“Barring use of force, threats, intimidation, and/or promise of rewards to them (3 retired Marines), based on the information available to us, we understand that their involvement was entirely of their own choosing, and that they did this on their own personal volition, and as such, we should always look with disdain against opportunistic groups or individuals trying to link their actions as being true Marines—they are unworthy of our respect,” he added.</p><p>On Tuesday, lawyer Levito “Levi” Baligod claimed that the 18 individuals served as “bagmen” delivering P805 billion to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><p>The group said they had worked as security personnel for Co and claimed they had transported cash to certain government officials.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/lawyer-refers-affidavit-of-ex-marines-vs-lawmakers-gov-t-officials-to-ombudsman-1349">Lawyer refers affidavit of &#x27;ex-Marines&#x27; vs lawmakers, gov&#x27;t officials to Ombudsman</a></div><p>The Philippine Navy earlier said it conducted due diligence in verifying the identities of the 18 individuals.</p><p>Based on official records, the Navy said four were never members of the Philippine Navy nor the PMC, while the majority were dishonorably discharged. Others retired in good standing.</p><p>Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez said the service could not disclose the names of those dishonorably discharged in order to “protect their families and [preserve their] dignity.”</p><p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the allegations should be addressed through proper legal forums, stressing that the military supports the release of the truth through lawful processes.</p><p>AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla clarified that no military security detail was ever assigned to Co and emphasized that the individuals presented as alleged “bagmen” were already retired or separated from the service at the time of the supposed incidents.</p><p>She added that once personnel retire or are discharged, they act in their private capacity and no longer represent the AFP.</p><p>Padilla also stressed that the military remains focused on its mandate, including territorial defense, particularly the security situation in the West Philippine Sea, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><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/PyVy_nfvG0I?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has branded as “opportunistic” the group of individuals claiming to be “bagmen” of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.</p>

The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has branded as “opportunistic” the group of individuals claiming to be “bagmen” of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

PH Marine Corps slams ‘opportunistic’ group amid 'bagmen' claims

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PH Marine Corps slams ‘opportunistic’ group amid 'bagmen' claims

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 26, 2026 05:34 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Marine Corps

Marines

bagmen

Congressman Zaldy Co

Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco III

opportunistic

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