Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation said it has identified a retired general who allegedly recruited more than a hundred security personnel for resigned congressman Zaldy Co, including 18 individuals who introduced themselves as former members of the Philippine Marine and who say they were tasked with delivering suitcases of alleged flood-control kickbacks to politicians.</p><p>According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the alleged recruiter is reportedly from Philippine Military Academy Class of 1975 and may also be summoned as part of the bureau’s ongoing investigation.</p><p>He said the unnamed retired general allegedly recruited 103 personnel who would have been in Co&#x27;s employ for two years.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/10/lawyer-who-notarized-affidavit-of-18-ex-marines-appears-before-nbi-1357"><strong>Lawyer who notarized affidavit of 18 &#x27;ex-Marines&#x27; appears before NBI</strong></a></div><p>“These people, wala silang livelihood, walang kabuhayan. Parang—baka mamaya, ‘yung consent nila sa paggawa ng mga salaysay dahil kailangan nila ng kabayaran or baka mamaya, meron din sigurong—sinisiguro rin natin na walang panunuhol, walang pananakot do’n sa pagbibigay nila ng kanilang testimonya.&quot;</p><p>(These people lost their livelihood. So it may be that their consent to execute their affidavits was because they need money — we will make sure that there was no bribery or coercion in their testimonies)</p><p>Matibag earlier said eight of the 18 individuals were not actually assigned to Co and that not all of them are former Marines.</p><p>&quot;Yung walo po identified na po namin kung sino yung kanilang pinaglilingkuran,” Matibag said.</p><p>(We have already identified who the eight reported to)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>NBI PROBE ONGOING</strong></div><p>The information was confirmed by one of the individuals subpoenaed in the probe, whose identity the NBI has yet to disclose. </p><p>More than 20 personalities are expected to appear before the NBI on March 12 as part of the ongoing investigation.</p><p>Among those summoned are the 18 who claim to have been Co&#x27;s bagmen, their lawyer Levi Baligod, former congressman Mike Defensor, and his wife Julie Defensor.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/11/nsc-s-ano-files-cyber-libel-perjury-raps-vs-baligod-18-ex-marines-1206"><strong>NSC&#x27;s Año files cyber libel, perjury raps vs 18 &#x27;ex-Marines,&#x27; lawyer</strong></a></div><p>Meanwhile, Bishop Efraim Tendero, a former secretary general of The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is expected to appear before the NBI on March 13. </p><p>Tendero signed as witness to the joint affidavit of the alleged bagmen linked to Co. </p><p>Earlier, lawyer Charlie Pascual, who notarized the joint affidavit, also appeared before the NBI to clarify his role.</p><p>He said he had no involvement in the contents of the document and merely performed his duty as a notary public.</p>

<p>According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the alleged recruiter is reportedly from Philippine Military Academy Class of 1975 and may also be summoned as part of the bureau’s ongoing investigation.</p>

According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the alleged recruiter is reportedly from Philippine Military Academy Class of 1975 and may also be summoned as part of the bureau’s ongoing investigation.

NBI says it knows who recruited security personnel linked to ex-congressman Zaldy Co

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NBI says it knows who recruited security personnel linked to ex-congressman Zaldy Co

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 11, 2026 05:05 PM PHT

Read More:

NBI

Recruiter

Zaldy Co

Suitcase

Cash

Flood control scam

Kickback

Bribes

Mike Defensor

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