National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said he was not surprised by the 4 “Maleta Boys” decision to withdraw their earlier allegations because the bureau had already found their statements unreliable during its investigation.

“Hindi ako nagulat. Kasi sabi ko nga, yung findings namin na sinubmit namin sa Blue Ribbon, sa Ombudsman, sa DOJ, nakalagay lahat ‘yan,” he said.

Also, Matibag said the recantation could further damage the witnesses’ credibility and may even affect how they are viewed by their former colleagues.

“If they really want to show their credibility, the problem is who will now believe and who will applaud them. I’m sure galit sa kanila ang mga kasama nila. That is assuming na yung mga nakatakip ang mukha na ‘yon ay part ng 18 marines,” he added.

Matibag said the four former soldiers or “Maleta Boys” who recently recanted their allegations in the controversial flood control scandal may have changed their stories because the promises allegedly made to them were never fulfilled.

Also, Matibag said the recantation was consistent with the NBI’s earlier findings that questioned the credibility of the witnesses.

“This is what we are saying that you cannot hide the truth and this is a validation of what the NBI, yung findings ng NBI. Ano sabi ng NBI sa findings nila if you will recall? Sabi namin na unreliable witness itong mga ‘to,” Matibag said.

But the authenticity of the recantation videos should still be verified because the individuals appeared with their faces covered.

“We don’t know if they are truthful. But I have to caution everybody, their face was covered, we did not see. So sila ba talaga ‘yan?” he said.

The NBI chief pointed out that when the former soldiers first surfaced accusing personalities of delivering bags of money or “maleta,” they publicly revealed their identities.

“When they come out in the open saying there is “maleta” they are very brave and wearing T-shirt, their face can be seen. It should like that,” Matibag said.

Matibag suggested that the recantation may have stemmed from disappointment after alleged commitments made to the former soldiers failed to materialize.

He urged the remaining members of the group to tell the truth and accept responsibility for any wrongdoing.

“For me its simple, just tell the truth. And own up the wrong and extend apologies to people you have offended, including the National Bureau of Investigation,” Matibag said.

Earlier, the NBI had concluded that the testimonies of the so-called “Maleta Boys” were unreliable and submitted its findings to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Department of Justice.