Listen to the article
Former Senator Trillanes Denies ICC Bribery Claims, Files Complaints Against Accusers
Former Philippine senator Antonio Trillanes IV has strongly rejected allegations that he received $2 million to bribe International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators, calling the claims a “blatant lie” designed to undermine the ongoing investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
The accusations emerged during a February 24 press conference where a group of 18 individuals, identifying themselves as “ex-Marines” and represented by lawyer Levi Baligod, alleged that Trillanes received the funds from former lawmaker Zaldy Co. According to the group, the money was intended to finance “witness operations” and facilitate the ICC’s investigation into crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
“I vehemently deny that I received $2 million or any amount from Zaldy Co for the ICC investigation or any other purpose,” Trillanes stated in a Facebook post. “This is an attempt to discredit the ongoing ICC proceedings against Duterte.”
The timing of the allegations has raised questions, as they coincided with Duterte’s pre-trial hearing at the ICC, which ran from February 23 to 27. In an interview with journalist Jessica Soho, Trillanes questioned the suspicious timing, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to undermine the ICC process.
“Why now, when the confirmation of charges hearing is in full swing? Why are they exposing these claims now? That’s spin. Because they need to make it appear that there was bribery, so that [Duterte’s lead defense counsel Nicholas] Kaufman can say that ICC investigators are corrupt,” Trillanes explained.
On March 5, Trillanes took legal action by filing perjury complaints against the 18 self-proclaimed ex-Marines for their “false testimonies.” He also filed cyber libel and “incriminating an innocent person” complaints against Baligod and several other individuals involved in spreading the allegations.
The ICC has firmly rejected any suggestion that its investigation was compromised. In a statement to Rappler, the Office of the Prosecutor clarified that it conducts investigations independently using court funds.
“The Office independently collects the information relevant to its investigations, identifies the individuals from whom it collects witness statements, and assesses the credibility, reliability, and relevance of all sources of information it requests and receives, and examines incriminating and exonerating evidence equally,” the statement read.
Further casting doubt on the allegations, the Philippine Navy revealed that four of the supposed “bagmen” presented by Baligod were never members of the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps, while the majority of the others had been dishonorably discharged from service.
The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has taken a strong stance against the group’s claims. PMC Commandant Major General Vicente Blanco III condemned the individuals, stating that those who were dishonorably discharged cannot be considered “true” Marines. “We should always look with disdain against opportunistic groups or individuals trying to link their actions as being true Marines — they are unworthy of our respect,” Blanco said.
The allegations against Trillanes have spread widely on social media platforms, with one video from the YouTube channel “News Update Files” garnering more than 11,000 views, 1,100 likes, and 90 comments. The video’s title falsely claimed that Trillanes had been arrested and imprisoned, which is demonstrably untrue.
This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the ICC’s ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during Duterte’s administration, particularly related to his war on drugs, which human rights organizations claim resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. The case remains politically sensitive in the Philippines, with Duterte maintaining significant support despite the allegations against his administration.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
6 Comments
It’s troubling to see such serious allegations being made without clear evidence. I hope the truth comes to light, whether that supports or refutes Trillanes’ claims of innocence.
These are certainly serious charges. Trillanes should welcome a thorough, impartial investigation to clear his name if the accusations are indeed false.
This sounds like a politically-motivated smear attempt against Trillanes. I’m curious to see how the ICC investigation into Duterte’s drug war progresses, as these allegations seem timed to undermine it.
Agreed, the timing of these claims is certainly suspicious. Trillanes has a history of going after corrupt officials, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this is an effort to discredit him.
As a neutral observer, I’m curious to see how this plays out. The ICC probe into Duterte’s drug war is an important issue, and anything that could undermine it deserves close scrutiny.
Agreed. Given the high stakes involved, it’s critical that all sides present their evidence transparently and allow the facts to speak for themselves.