A group calling themselves "ex-Marines" revealed during a Senate hearing on Thursday, June 4, that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV allegedly met with International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators.
Testimony Details
According to a witness, who claimed to be a former staff member of ex-Congressman Zaldy Co, a group of soldiers provided security for foreign visitors who were touring and meeting with local politicians. The meetings reportedly began in December 2023.
The witness stated that Trillanes met with individuals at a hotel in Makati, while Romualdez and Rep. Zaldy Co allegedly met with foreigners at a townhouse in McKinley.
Money Exchange Allegations
Another witness claimed he was asked to exchange two suitcases, each containing P50 million to P60 million, into dollars, purportedly for delivery to the ICC.
Trillanes has strongly denied the accusations, including the claim that he received millions of dollars in funding. He has filed criminal charges against the 18 "ex-Marines" and the lawyer who filed the complaint, calling it a fabricated bribery scheme to discredit the ICC process.
The ICC also firmly refuted allegations that it is being funded by local politicians, asserting its independence.
