Former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor has called on government authorities to provide immediate protection for several key witnesses linked to a massive corruption investigation involving flood control projects.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Defensor presented a 61-page complaint affidavit intended for filing with the Office of the Ombudsman. The document targets former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
According to Defensor, the complaint is supported by sworn statements from Orly Guteza and six individuals out of a group of 18 identifying as former Marines.
Defensor highlighted the urgency of securing these individuals through an ex parte application for a precautionary hold departure order, emphasizing the weight of their testimonies.
“I commend the Office of the Ombudsman, particularly Ombudsman Boying Remulla, for pursuing this case,” Defensor said.
The call for protective custody follows the release of an audio recording allegedly featuring a conversation between Guteza and his wife.
In the recording, Guteza reportedly expressed fear for his family’s safety and claimed he was being coerced to falsely implicate Defensor and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta as the financiers behind his allegations.
Guteza, who previously testified in the Senate regarding alleged kickbacks tied to properties linked to Co and Romualdez, has been missing from the public eye since late last year.
His credibility was earlier challenged in October when a Manila court noted discrepancies in the notarization of one of his previous affidavits.
Defensor admitted that while Guteza is believed to be alive, his exact location remains a mystery.
“Hanggang sa ngayon, hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya and I hope sa tulong po ninyo ay maipaabot kay Ombudsman Remulla na kung maaari naman sagipin, kung kailangan sagipin si Sgt. Guteza at bigyan ng proteksyon, hindi lamang siya at ang kanyang pamilya. At syempre, dagdag na rin po doon yung 18 Marines. Nagtatago pa rin po sila hanggang ngayon,” he said.
The former lawmaker underscored that the safety of these witnesses is paramount to maintaining the integrity of the investigation and ensuring that the truth regarding the alleged irregularities is fully uncovered.