Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a cyberlibel complaint on Monday before the Department of Justice against 18 alleged former soldiers and several other individuals who accused him of bribing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators.
Trillanes said he intends to pursue more cases as the group continues to make public statements linking him to alleged cash deliveries for government officials.
“Bawat interview na lalabas nila, makaka-expect sila ng kaso laban sa kanila,” he told reporters after submitting the complaint.
The case stems from an affidavit filed by the alleged ex-military personnel claiming Trillanes received $2 million from former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co to fund the ICC’s investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs—an allegation Trillanes has repeatedly denied.
The former senator added that some individuals connected to the group may soon contradict the accusations.
“Inalukan din ng pera para lumabas pero hindi nila tinanggap,” he said, noting that some of the supposed former soldiers are expected to retract their statements.
Aside from the group, the complaint also named several media and online personalities as respondents, including Byron Cristobal (known as Banat By), Oliver Cristobal (Coach Oli), “Master Judea,” and Arjay Piodina (Pareng Arjay).