Jamaine Punzalan

Allegd ex-security aides of former Congressman Zaldy Co gather during a press conference organized by former Congressman Mike Defensor in Mandaluyong City on June 16. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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Adrian Ayalin

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/178530522209520260616-zaldy-co-ex-bodyguards-pressconr-MT14.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Allegd ex-security aides of former Congressman Zaldy Co gather during a press conference organized by former Congressman Mike Defensor in Mandaluyong City on June 16. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Justice said the 18 “Maleta Boys” who initially presented themselves as former marines and personnel of former congressman Zaldy Co faced a total of 10 charges filed in various courts on Wednesday.</p><p>In a statement, the DOJ said the Office of the Prosecutor General approved the filing of six counts of cyber libel under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and four counts of perjury.</p><p>The DOJ said the informations, which underwent evaluation during the preliminary investigation stage, would be filed before the appropriate courts.</p><p>“The approval of the recommendations constitutes a determination, for purposes of preliminary investigation, that prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction exists,” the DOJ said.</p><p>The DOJ noted that the cases arose from several complaints involving the execution and dissemination of a joint sworn statement, related press conferences and interviews, social media posts and other online publications.</p><p>The 18 alleged that they facilitated payoffs to former and sitting government officials, in connection with the investigation by the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte.</p><p>Former senator Antonio Trillanes earlier this week said the 18 individuals, along with their lawyer Levito Baligod would face cyberlibel charges in court and<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/28/trillanes-says-more-cyberlibel-charges-to-come-vs-18-bagmen-and-lawyer-1439"> “more will come.”</a></p><p>Baligod however said they would file a motion for reconsideration before the DOJ.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/13/arrest-warrant-issued-vs-baligod-over-cyber-libel-complaints-2249">Arrest warrant issued vs Baligod over cyber libel charge </a></div><p>The DOJ noted that the complainants against the 18 and Baligod included Trillanes, Mamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila De Lima, Fr.  Flaviano Villanueva, Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., and former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año. </p><p>The DOJ said the complaint filed by Villanueva was dismissed.</p><p>The agency said the informations were already filed Tuesday before the Regional Trial Courts of Caloocan City, Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City and San Juan City.</p><p>In a statement, Baligod noted that the charges were filed in different RTCs around Metro Manila.</p><p>“Ikinalat niyo pa talaga sa iba’t ibang RTCs para pahirapan kami ha. Sige lang, as we can’t expect fairness and rule of law from the current DOJ and NPS (National Prosecution Service),” Baligod said. </p><p>He added that the charges were filed before the submission of their motion for reconsideration.</p><p>“Hindi niyo na rin hinintay na makapag-MR kami as part of due process, file agad?” he 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/gX-jAExQiow?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span> </div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>The Department of Justice said the 18 “Maleta Boys” who initially presented themselves as former marines and personnel of former congressman Zaldy Co would face a total of 10 charges to be filed in court.</p>

The Department of Justice said the 18 “Maleta Boys” who initially presented themselves as former marines and personnel of former congressman Zaldy Co would face a total of 10 charges to be filed in court.

DOJ: 18 ‘Maleta Boys’ charged with 10 cyberlibel, perjury cases

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DOJ: 18 ‘Maleta Boys’ charged with 10 cyberlibel, perjury cases

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 29, 2026 02:10 PM PHT

|

Updated July 29, 2026 03:23 PM PHT

Read More:

maleta boys

DOJ

NPS

perjury

cyber libel

bagmen

Zaldy Co

Levito Baligod

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