Five former security personnel of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, collectively known as the “maleta boys,” have formally recanted their affidavits that previously implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other top government officials in alleged flood control project kickbacks.
In new sworn statements, the men claimed they were coerced into participating in a blackmail scheme against prominent politicians.
Group member Belnard Tube stated he signed his initial affidavit under duress following threats of criminal prosecution and detention.
“Pumayag akong sumama sa (grupo) bilang bahagi ng isang planong pangingikil o blackmail,” Tube wrote.
Rosebert Macasasa Waupan similarly disclosed that he was forced to sign a pre-written statement under the threat of facing multiple criminal charges.
“Ang pinagmulan po nito ay ako’y sinama sa (grupo) at istorya ng mga basura para sa isang blackmail scam laban sa ilang mga kilalang pulitiko para palabasin na tumaggap sila ng iba’t ibang halaga ng pera galing kay Cong. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co,” Waupan said.
According to Cecilio Larroder Jr., the group received detailed instructions on their narrative and attire, alongside virtually identical affidavits designed to align their stories.
“Tinuro sa amin ang mga sasabihin, ang kailangan suotin na damit, nakahanda ang affidavit namin, at itoy ginawang iisa para walang ma-agrabyado at pare-pareho ang istorya namin,” Larroder stated.
Both Waupan and Larroder alleged that lawyer Levito Baligod promised them significant financial payouts, claiming that Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former Anakalusugan Representative Mike Defensor—who are currently detained on plunder charges—were overseeing the operation.
Waupan noted he received only minimal travel and living allowances, while other members reportedly received no payout.
A fourth member, Benny Bulontate, detailed being warned that their handlers were facing imminent arrest and that he would be swept into complex legal charges—including plunder, extortion, and perjury—if he refused to cooperate.
“Muli akong binalaan na malapit nang makulong ang aming mga handler… at ako ay maaaring madawit sa mga kaso nila, o kaya naman ay sa kaso ng plunder, bribery, extortion, libel, perjury, faisification, at iba pa,” Bulontate recalled.
“Naging malinaw sa akin na hindi nila ako pababayaang umalis hangga’t hindi ko napipirmahan ito, kaya ako ay pumayag na at pumirma sa nakahanda nang sinumpaang salaysay,” he added, emphasizing that the document was pre-prepared before his arrival at the Office of the Ombudsman.
Finally, Jeron Balderama, who handled security during visits by International Criminal Court (ICC) representatives in 2024 and 2025, confirmed he never witnessed any cash-filled suitcases or paper bags being delivered, prompting him to retract his statements alongside the others.
The recanted documents originally alleged that President Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez were among those who received illegal kickbacks.