Ex-Bodyguards Claim Initial Plot Was to Blackmail Politicians

Four former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co have recanted their sworn statements against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and Co himself. They claim the initial plan was to blackmail prominent politicians. According to Mariz Umali’s exclusive report on “24 Oras,” one affidavit stated that the witness initially believed the group’s operation was intended to blackmail and extort politicians, government officials allegedly involved in corruption, and other high-profile personalities. The identities of the personalities allegedly being implicated kept changing as time went on. Another affidavit similarly claimed the objective was to create the impression that the personalities being linked to the allegations had received money from Zaldy Co. One of the former bodyguards, who recanted, said, “The origin of this is that I was included with 18 Marines and stories of trash for a blackmail scam against some known politicians to make it appear that they received various amounts of money from Congressman Elizaldy Co.” The witness further alleged that lawyer Atty. Levito Baligod, who first introduced the group of 18 former bodyguards to the public earlier this year, had promised them substantial sums of money if the alleged scheme succeeded. Baligod, however, strongly denied the allegations, stating, “That’s ridiculous. I-extort mo sila? Si Martin Romualdez? Sino? Mga senador? mga congressmen? That’s very far from true. Medyo exaggerated na yan.” He also denied claims that members of the group were promised large amounts of money in exchange for signing affidavits. “Well, yung sinasabi nilang …prinomisan sila para hindi na sila pwede… Kailangan magtrabaho for the next two years is an exaggeration. What I actually told everybody, not only the four, but to the whole 18 plus 7 and plus 10, na kung may problema sa pamilya, pwede kaming magtulungan,” he said. “Pero yung promise na sinabi nilang limpak-limpak na salapi, that is the exact opposite of what I told them,” he added. Appearing alongside Baligod on Friday was George Villalon, one of the members of the group who maintained his original allegations. Villalon claimed that those who recanted had allegedly been offered between P20 million and P25 million each to reverse their statements. He said he had also been approached but declined the offer. Source: GMA News Philippines