FORMER senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a cyber libel complaint on Monday against 18 former marines and other individuals.
The former marines’ allegations implicating Trillanes in a purported scheme involving the International Criminal Court (ICC) form the basis of the complaint.
Trillanes stated that the complaint was a direct result of interviews conducted by the former marines following their press conference a few weeks prior. “So bawat interview na lalabas nila, makaka-expect sila ng kaso laban sa kanila,” he remarked during an ambush interview at the Department of Justice, indicating that further legal action could follow each public statement made by the respondents.
The 18 individuals, who identified themselves as former marines, had previously claimed that Trillanes facilitated the entry of at least five ICC investigators into the country. They further alleged that Trillanes received $2 million from Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co to allegedly arrange the ICC investigation. Trillanes vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the allegations are false.
Adding another layer to the unfolding situation, Trillanes claimed that several former companions of the marines are prepared to come forward in the coming weeks to reveal what he described as the “supposed truth.” He alleged that these individuals were also offered money to make accusations but refused.
Trillanes also suggested that some of the 18 former marines might retract their statements, though he declined to reveal his sources for this information. His camp confirmed that media personalities Byron “Banat By” Cristobal, Oliver “Coach Oli” M. Cristobal, “Master Judea,” and Arjay “Pareng Arjay” Piodina are also named as respondents in the cyberlibel complaint.
This latest legal action follows previous complaints filed by Trillanes against the marines, as well as cyber libel charges against lawyer Levito Baligod, former congressman Mike Defensor, and others. Several other prominent figures, including National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and former Senator Leila de Lima, have also filed complaints against the marines and associated individuals concerning these allegations.
