NBI IDENTIFIES RETIRED GENERAL WHO ALLEGEDLY RECRUITED EX-MARINES FOR ZALDY CO — AND SAYS 8 OF THE 18 WERE NEVER ASSIGNED TO HIM

National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag dropped two disclosures on Tuesday, March 11, that complicate the already convoluted story of the 18 individuals who claimed to be former Marines turned bagmen for fugitive former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co.

First, the NBI has identified a retired military general — from Philippine Military Academy Class of 1975 — who allegedly recruited former servicemen to work as security aides and cash couriers for Co. Matibag disclosed the identification during a media interview, though the NBI has not publicly named the general.

Second, eight of the 18 individuals who presented themselves as former Marines were not assigned to or directly working for Co, according to the NBI's own investigation.

That is a significant discrepancy. The original premise — presented publicly by lawyer Levito Baligod in February — was that all 18 were former Marines who served as Co's personal security detail and delivered approximately P805 billion in suspected kickbacks from irregular flood control projects.

THE NBI'S FINDINGS SO FAR

The Philippine Navy had already raised questions about the group. In an earlier statement, the Navy said that four of the 18 were never affiliated with the Navy or the Philippine Marines at all.

The NBI's finding goes further. Matibag said eight of the 18 — nearly half — were not assigned to Co. That does not necessarily mean they are lying about everything. It means their connection to Co was not what was originally claimed in their public presentation.

Matibag has previously said the NBI expects up to 38 individuals to come forward as alleged bagmen, out of 103 people the bureau identified as having been recruited by Co. The 18 were the first wave. The NBI clarified that the 103 were not all former Marines — some were drivers and ordinary civilians.

The NBI issued subpoenas to the 18 individuals, Baligod, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, and the notarizing attorney on March 6. They were scheduled to appear on March 11. The Ombudsman authorized the NBI to conduct the probe.

THE RETIRED GENERAL

The identification of a retired PMA Class of 1975 general as the alleged recruiter adds a new dimension to the investigation. If confirmed, it would mean the recruitment of military personnel for a civilian lawmaker's alleged criminal enterprise was organized through the military's own ranks.

ABS-CBN News and Inquirer both reported Matibag's disclosure. The NBI Director did not release the general's full name during his public statements, but said the investigation is ongoing.

Baligod had previously alleged that the 18 former Marines were recruited to transport suitcases filled with cash to various individuals — including, according to his claims, members of Congress and individuals linked to the presidency. The Palace dismissed these allegations as a "poorly written script" and a "smear campaign."

WHAT THIS CHANGES

The NBI's investigation is functioning as an independent verification mechanism for the bagmen claims — and it is producing mixed results.

On one hand, the bureau has confirmed enough to keep the investigation active: subpoenas issued, the Ombudsman involved, a retired general identified as the recruiter, and up to 38 potential witnesses expected. That is not the behavior of an agency that considers the claims baseless.

On the other hand, 8 of 18 not being assigned to Co undercuts the specific allegation that these individuals had direct access to the former lawmaker's operations. The Navy's earlier finding of four non-Marines in the group further erodes the original account as presented.

The flood control corruption probe remains one of the largest in Philippine history. At least 9,855 flood control projects valued at over P545 billion are under scrutiny across the Senate, House, and Independent Commission for Infrastructure investigations. Co remains a fugitive.

Whether the 18 individuals' testimony will hold up depends on what the NBI finds when it separates the verified from the embellished. That work is ongoing.