Manila, Philippines – The National Security Council has strongly denied the alleged affidavit of eighteen former Marines implicating him in receiving a paper bag containing money after a meeting at the Polo Club Townhouse.
NSC Secretary Eduardo Año insisted that he did not attend any meeting with former Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Congressman Zaldy Co and Congresswoman Leila de Lima at the Polo Club townhouse or any other location.
Año further defended that he did not receive any paper bag or package from officials involved in corruption.
The official said, the claims of the eighteen former Marines are false and fabricated.
Even the secretary said he will not tolerate any kind of attempt to smear his reputation.
At the same time, Año’s legal team is also preparing take appropriate actions.
The NSC will also conduct its own investigation to determine whether these malicious stunts are part of a broader attempt to destabilize government institutions.
In a report by the Philippine Navy on Wednesday, four of the eighteen ex-Marines were not members of the Philippine Navy or even the Philippine Marine Corps.
The Navy said this after verifying the identities and service records of the individuals made public by Atty. Levi Baligod, along with photos showing the delivery of cash in briefcases to several lawmakers.
According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Xeres Trinidad, the statements related to this issue should be evaluated legally and those involved should be investigated.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News