Jamaine Punzalan

The so-called "ex-Marines", together with Mike Defensor, face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

18 EX MARINES- MIKE DEFENSOR

Zyann Ambrosio

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/178054629857820260305-18-ex-marines-defensor-baligod-MT8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The so-called &quot;ex-Marines&quot;, together with Mike Defensor, face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Thursday it was reopening its probe on 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines after it received information that the group was allegedly bribed for their testimony.</p><p>The NBI said a relative of one of the ex-Marines alleged in an affidavit that each member of the group was paid P5 million for their testimony. The affidavit added that former lawmaker Mike Defensor had been responsible for reaching out to and negotiating with the group. </p><p>NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the ex-Marine’s relative submitted the affidavit after failing to receive the promised P5 million.   </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=461&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1003586045714238%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="461" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>Matibag said a subpoena was sent to Defensor to explain his side. The official noted that the allegations remained unverified and the investigation was ongoing. </div><p>“That’s why we are subpoena-ing him para magbigay-linaw dito. Again, hindi natin sinasabi na siguradong-sigurado na ganoon. Kaya nga natin siya ipinatawag para maimbestigahan,” he said.</p><p>Meanwhile, Defensor told Matibag that instead of investigating those who speak up, the NBI should look into the allegations made</p><p>&quot;Huwag mong sayangin ang pondo ng gobyerno para patahimikin ‘yung mga nagsasalita... Gamitin mo ang resources ng NBI, ang poder ng NBI para imbestigahan ang totoong issue: ang nakawan dito sa ating bansa,” he said.</p><p>As to the whereabouts of whistleblower Orly Guteza, who previously said he used to be the staff of resigned Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, Defensor said Guteza was in the “province.”</p><p>“Ang sinabi lang probinsya. Actually, medyo alam ko ‘yung probinsya pero ayaw ko mag-speculate,” Defensor said.</p><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/yug7qw5TkmI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>The so-called “ex-Marines”, who claimed to be former bagmen of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co, appeared Thursday at a flood control hearing led by senators allied with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. </p><p>Cayetano invited Matibag to join the hearing.</p><p>“Tutal mahilig kayong NBI na pumunta dito sa Senado nang walang imbitasyon, ngayon kayo pumunta, iniimbitahan ko kayo,” Cayetano said.</p><p>The supposed ex-Marines present at the hearing denied the bribery accusation.</p><p>“Yung kakapiranggot na ipon po namin, hanggang ngayon, yun ang pinagkakasya namin,” a member of the group said. “Nagtyatyaga kami na sardinas ang pagkain. Kung nabayaran kami, sana napakaganda na ngayon ng buhay namin.” <strong>—With a report from Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><em><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/jk1LZ66oRpU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span> </em></div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Thursday it was reopening its probe on 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines after it received information that the group was allegedly bribed for their testimony.</p>

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Thursday it was reopening its probe on 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines after it received information that the group was allegedly bribed for their testimony.

NBI probing alleged bribe for ‘ex-Marines’

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NBI probing alleged bribe for ‘ex-Marines’

Zyann Ambrosio,

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 04, 2026 12:14 PM PHT

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Updated June 04, 2026 03:27 PM PHT

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ex-Marines

NBI

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