Marines event bars mainstream media

A supposed explosive exposé from the so-called “Maleta Boys” or the “18 Marines” fizzled out Friday after mainstream media organizations were barred from covering an event at Valle Verde Country Club.

Organizers had earlier posted invitations on social media announcing a “no-holds-barred” discussion scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., supposedly backed by retired Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police generals. The group has also been referred to in street slang as the “Chicago Boys,” aside from “Maleta Boys.”

However, upon arriving at the Angono function room of the country club, mainstream media members and several social media bloggers identified with the Duterte camp were allegedly told to stay outside while the gathering proceeded behind closed doors.

About an hour after the event began, an organizer reportedly went outside to ask members of the mainstream media why the event was allegedly being aired live on social media, despite journalists not being allowed inside the venue.

Minutes later, the head of the security personnel ordered members of the mainstream media to leave the premises immediately.

Frustrated, reporters left the area.

A Daily Tribune reporter later managed to hail a taxi carrying one of the attendees. The driver, identified as Ireo Dumalag, said his passenger introduced himself as a retired colonel who was attending the press conference organized by the “18 Chicago Marines.”

According to Dumalag, the passenger attempted to convince him to support the group, claiming they were supporters of Sara Duterte.

“Malabo pa sa sabaw ng pusit. Ang sabi ko sa kanya, ordinaryong mamamayan lang ako, pero hindi agad-agad mapapaniwala at hindi agad-agad susuporta nang basta-basta na lang,” Dumalag said.

When asked why the group was allegedly being referred to as the “Chicago Boys,” Dumalag claimed it was supposedly linked to the location where the 18 Marines were allegedly being kept, as well as where the “maletas” they allegedly delivered were reportedly discovered hidden.