NBI to Call 18 Ex-Soldiers for Separate Statements to Verify Credibility
The National Bureau of Investigation has announced it will investigate the notary public involved in the joint affidavit submitted by 18 self-proclaimed former soldiers to the Office of the Ombudsman. In an interview, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag revealed that the bureau will scrutinize the notarization process of their statements.
Scrutiny of Notarization and Relationships
Matibag emphasized that the NBI aims to examine and assess the relationship between the notary and the former soldiers, as well as the individuals behind the accusations. He supported the statement made by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, asserting that the former soldiers should provide separate affidavits.
Director Matibag expressed doubts about why the knowledge of the 18 ex-soldiers was contained in a single joint affidavit. He believes that an affidavit should stem from the personal knowledge of an individual, making it difficult to determine if multiple parties share identical information in their testimonies.
Legal Actions and Denials
In related developments, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has taken legal action against the 18 former soldiers and others. He filed complaints against them, along with Atty. Levito Baligod and former Congressman Mike Defensor, regarding allegations linking him to an issue involving the receipt of a 'paper bag'.
Año specifically lodged complaints for violations of Republic Act 154 of the Revised Penal Code, concerning unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances, and RA 1075, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, against the mentioned individuals. Consequently, he vehemently denied and refuted the accusations and allegations leveled against him.
Implications and Further Allegations
Apart from Año, the group also implicated other officials, including 7 senators and lawmakers, such as former Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo. In an interview with some former soldiers, they maintained that they delivered suitcases full of money to the home of the implicated former congresswoman.
Photographs presented in the affidavit purportedly show the property, with assurances that the house is owned by Quimbo. Based on the joint affidavit, it is alleged that the contents of a large suitcase delivered were valued at approximately 50 to 70 million pesos, while smaller ones ranged from 15 to 25 million pesos.
Quimbo served as chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee after former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co resigned and was a member of the so-called 'small committee', where insertions in the 2025 national budget were issued.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Following the revelations and allegations made by the former soldiers, the National Bureau of Investigation will summon them to submit separate testimonies regarding the accusations implicating several government officials. This move aims to ensure the integrity and credibility of the claims as the investigation progresses.
