Marilyn Cahatol

Members of the #Brave18, together with Mike Defensor, face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026, where they addressed recent developments surrounding their case, shared personal accounts, and answered questions from journalists regarding ongoing issues and public concerns. The group emphasized their call for accountability, transparency, and due process as they continue to seek justice and public understanding of their situation. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

18 EX AMRINES BAGMEN- PAYOFFS

Kaxandra Salonga

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/177337075892920260305-18-ex-marines-defensor-baligod-MT13.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the #Brave18, together with Mike Defensor, face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026, where they addressed recent developments surrounding their case, shared personal accounts, and answered questions from journalists regarding ongoing issues and public concerns. The group emphasized their call for accountability, transparency, and due process as they continue to seek justice and public understanding of their situation. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The allegedly former Marines who claimed to have delivered bribes to government officials kept silent during their appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) this week, the agency said Friday. </p><p>NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the agency failed to conduct its fact-finding investigation after 16 of the 18 alleged former Marines refused to talk when they appeared before the agency on Thursday.</p><p>&quot;Si Atty. [Levi] Baligod, nangako na sila’y babalik. Out of 18, 16 yung dumating. Eh wala namang nagsasalita, kahit nga po sa media interview eh,&quot; Malibag said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/12/-ex-marines-arrive-at-nbi-after-subpoena-over-bribery-claims-1018">Defensor, 16 alleged ex-Marines respond to NBI subpoena</a></div><p>Matibag said former lawmaker Mike Defensor, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, and Baligod spoke on behalf of the 16.</p><p>&quot;Paano naman natin iimbestigahan yan? Paano magagawa ng NBI yung kanilang duty kung hindi nakikipagtulungan yung mga taong nagrereklamo,&quot; he added. </p><p>“Ang gusto nila, kung ano yung isinubo nilang reklamo, yun na, tawagin nyo na yan, merong mga picture na maleta. Hindi po ganun ang rules of evidence,” he added.</p><p>Malibag also pointed out supposed inconsistencies in Topacio and Baligod&#x27;s statements, saying: &quot;Yung isa po sinasabi, pumayag kami na isa-isa silang imbestigahan kahit na hindi dapat. Yung isa naman, sabi suspicious pag isa-isa mo silang inimbita.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BALIGOD: ‘EX-MARINES’ NOT PREPARED FOR INVESTIGATION</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Baligod argued that the 16 were not prepared to be investigated, but only to present their personal information as “Marines”. </p><p>Malibag noted that the subpoena issued by the agency called for an investigation based on the 18’s joint affidavit submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman. </p><p>“Mas gusto yatang magpaimbestiga sa media, mag-presscon kesa magkaroon ng kalutasan yung kanilang inirereklamo, yung sinasabi nila,” Malibag said.</p><p>He said that the group&#x27;s photos should undergo scrutiny, including original copies, who took them, and when and where. </p><p>“Hindi po pwede na ganun, nakakalungkot na isasalang nila sa social media para kumuha ng opinion,” Malibag said. </p><p>He said the NBI was looking into a possible motive behind the accusations’ publicity on social media. </p><p>“Ano ba ang timing, ano ang mga events na nangyayare sa paglabas nila? Kaya nababanggit namin, sino ba ang mga nag-recruit dito, bakit may ganitong pangyayari?” he said. </p><p>Malibag noted that the rules of courts and the Constitution allow supposed witnesses to be investigated individually to prevent influence or collusion, establish consistency of their statements, and protect their integrity. </p><p>The official added that NBI would investigate the individuals mentioned in the Marines&#x27; affidavit, but only if it is proven to have substance and credibility. </p><p>&quot;Let me set the record straight, iimbestigahan din namin yung mga taong binabanggit nila provided na yung kanilang sinasabi ay mapapatunayan nating may sustansya at tatayo sa anumang korte,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Basic naman yun sa batas, sa rule na kailangan imbestigahan mo, alamin mo kung ano yung nirereklamo at tawagin mo yung nagrereklamo at pag napatunayan mo kung sino sa kanila ang nagsasabi ng totoo, dadalhin natin sa korte,&quot; he added.</p><p>Meanwhile, Defensor and his wife Julie Defensor — who were also subpoenaed due to their supposed support for the self-proclaimed former officers —invoked their right to remain silent, the NBI director said. </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">NSC&#x27;s Año files cyber libel, perjury raps vs 18 &#x27;ex-Marines,&#x27; lawyer</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>JOINT AFFIDAVIT</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, Baligod disputed statements by Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano that a joint affidavit loses credibility.</p><p>In a statement, Baligod said the Office of the Ombudsman’s position that a joint narration of facts loses credibility had no basis in jurisprudence.</p><p>“This view is not supported by Philippine case law. On the contrary, the rule is that a joint or consistent narrative is not inherently suspect,” Baligod said.</p><p>“It is only considered incredible if it is contrary to common experience, human nature, or physical laws,” he added.</p><p>The Ombudsman earlier asked Baligod to submit 18 separate affidavits from each individual for a “more accurate and credible narration of facts.”</p><p>Baligod also argued the NBI had only been deputized by the Ombudsman to verify the identities of the affiants following its issuance of subpoenas to his clients.</p><p>“This public statement of the Ombudsman confirms the limited authority delegated unto the NBI - identity verification only. But, we yielded to their request to go beyond that, leading to almost 3 hours of Q&amp;A that dwelt on the contents of their Joint Affidavit,” Baligod said.</p><p>Clavano earlier said the Ombudsman deputized the NBI to verify the identities and backgrounds of the affiants after conflicting reports emerged regarding who they were and where they previously served.</p><p>The group alleged in their joint affidavit that they served as bagmen for former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co as part of kickbacks linked to flood control projects.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gwjThd1rj3M" title="FULL: Matibag may ipinagtataka sa &#x27;ex-Marines&#x27; na humarap sa NBI | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n-ymCMROsl4" title="What &#x27;ex-Marines&#x27; said after facing NBI | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The allegedly former Marines who claimed to have delivered bribes to government officials kept silent during their appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) this week, the agency said Friday.</p>

The allegedly former Marines who claimed to have delivered bribes to government officials kept silent during their appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) this week, the agency said Friday.

‘Wala namang nagsasalita’: Matibag says ‘ex-Marines’ mum during NBI appearance

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‘Wala namang nagsasalita’: Matibag says ‘ex-Marines’ mum during NBI appearance

Marilyn Cahatol,

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 13, 2026 11:45 AM PHT

|

Updated Mar 13, 2026 01:07 PM PHT

Read More:

ex-Marines

National Bureau of Investigation

Mike Defensor

Ferdinand Topacio

Julie Defensor

Levi Baligod

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