MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday filed another cyber libel complaint before the Department of Justice against 18 self-proclaimed former Marines, as well as Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta, over allegations that he paid millions of pesos to bribe prosecutors of the International Criminal Court.
The complaint, Trillanes’ third against the group, stemmed from allegations made during an unofficial Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on June 4, in which the respondents claimed he received bags of cash that were allegedly intended for ICC prosecutors.
In his 27-page complaint, Trillanes said the respondents made “malicious and libelous” statements and asked prosecutors to charge them with one count each of cyber libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Revised Penal Code.
Trillanes also named Cayetano and Marcoleta as respondents, alleging they facilitated the June 4 hearing, which he described as unauthorized and unofficial after the Senate had already been reorganized.
The hearing was organized by Pia Cayetano, who chaired the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee before the chamber’s reorganization. She proceeded with the inquiry despite no longer holding the position and without official secretariat support, according to the complaint.
Trillanes argued that allegations linking him to bribery of ICC prosecutors were false, noting that he had publicly supported ICC intervention in the Philippines as early as 2017.
He also alleged that the 18 respondents, Cayetano and Marcoleta “conspired and confederated” by reinforcing one another’s statements during the hearing.
Among the allegations cited in the complaint was a remark by Marcoleta questioning why Filipinos should help the ICC investigate fellow citizens. Trillanes said the statement implied he had betrayed the country’s interests by allegedly providing financial support to the tribunal.
Trillanes maintained that he had long advocated for an ICC investigation into killings linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. He noted that in 2017, he, former Gary Alejano representative Gary Alejano and the late lawyer Jude Sabio submitted communications urging the ICC to investigate the deaths.
The 18 respondents had previously identified themselves as former bodyguards and bagmen of former Elizaldy Co representative Elizaldy Co.
Trillanes previously filed two cyber libel complaints against the same group, along with lawyer Ferdinand Topacio Baligod, former Mike Defensor representative Mike Defensor and hosts of SMNI.
Several other public officials have also filed cyber libel complaints against the group, including Julienne Baronda, Zia Alonto Adiong, Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Joel Chua, Benny Abante Jr., former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Bureau of Corrections Director General Pio Gregorio Catapang Jr., Leila de Lima and Fr. Flavie Villanueva.