Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is finalizing a draft complaint for cyberlibel and other criminal charges against 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines, along with their lawyer, Levito Baligod. The case will be filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In a television interview Friday, Trillanes said, “Matatapos na ‘yung initial draft. Once makita ko na ‘yun, i-fi-file namin ‘yun kaagad sa DOJ para mas malawak ‘yung sakop.”
The complaint arises from allegations made by the group that Trillanes received $2 million—over ₱115 million—to allegedly assist International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators in pursuing crimes against humanity charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte. Both Trillanes and the ICC prosecution team have denied the claim.
Trillanes also revealed plans to file separate complaints against former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor and broadcaster Jay Sonza. Defensor admitted helping the supposed ex-Marines but insisted he had no direct contact with them.
Sonza, meanwhile, is already facing charges from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly spreading false information about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s health.
The former senator noted that other figures could be included in future complaints, though he did not specify who.