MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has officially subpoenaed 18 individuals identifying themselves as former Philippine Marines following their explosive allegations of a massive bribery and “bagman” operation involving the country’s highest officials.
The group, represented by whistleblower lawyer Levito “Levi” Baligod, held a press conference on February 24, 2026, where they claimed to have delivered suitcases of cash totaling ₱805 billion ($13.9 billion) from 2022 to 2025.
- High-Level Targets: The group alleged the funds—purportedly kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects—were delivered to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and resigned AKO Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
- ICC Bribery Claim: Most controversially, the group claimed they were tasked with delivering $2 million to former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, which was allegedly intended as a bribe for International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators looking into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, that the bureau was deputized by the Office of the Ombudsman to validate the claims.
- Credibility Issues: The Philippine Navy clarified that four of the 18 were never Marines, and the majority of the rest were dishonorably discharged.
- Criminal Records: Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that six of the individuals are currently facing murder charges, raising significant questions about their reliability as witnesses.
- Subpoena Goal: The NBI is seeking the group’s individual affidavits to determine if their claims are based on “personal knowledge” or are part of a coordinated political smear.
The exposé has triggered a wave of counter-lawsuits:
- Trillanes Strikes Back: On March 5, 2026, Antonio Trillanes IV filed perjury and cyberlibel charges against the 18 men, Baligod, and several others (including Mike Defensor and Lorraine Badoy), calling the claims a “lousy script” and a “Duterte camp demolition job.”
- National Security: National Security Adviser Eduardo Año also filed criminal complaints against the group, labeling their testimony “malicious and fabricated” with the intent to incite military unrest.
While Vice President Sara Duterte praised the 18 men for their “courage” in speaking out, Ombudsman Remulla characterized the move as a calculated attempt to reach a “political tipping point” and agitate the armed forces.