A central figure in the corruption horror series, ex-Marine sergeant Orly Guteza, an aide of beleaguered legislator Zaldy Co, may pop up anytime in the run-up to the 30 November rally.
A parrot in the protest groups whispered to Nosy Tarsee that Guteza may even bring along his colleagues who were responsible for delivering suitcases to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, as claimed by Co.
Guteza has so far fended off attempts by emissaries of the masterminds to get him to recant. A prepared affidavit had been brought to Guteza stating that what he previously said about the deliveries was not true; that his handler, former Cabinet official and congressman Mike Defensor, and Senator Rodante Marcoleta had offered him money; and that he never made the deliveries.
Defensor had made a similar claim about the affidavit recanting Guteza’s statements, which included a video of Guteza reading the recantation and stating that he was now detained and not protected.
The detention claim, however, has been denied by the Philippine Marines. Still, Defensor claimed during the Iglesia ni Cristo rally that the Marines’ intelligence arm is holding him at an undisclosed location.
When Zaldy Co came out, many hoped that Guteza would follow. Co talked about the delivery of money and showed pictures of the suitcases, confirming the claim of his former aide.
The bottom line, however, is that the investigation into the allegations of corruption, including the attempts to stonewall it, should be impartial.
Who is the mastermind who can muster the kinds of resources to keep the truth from coming out, including the mobilization of soldiers?
The problem facing the crooks and schemers in government is that the Philippine Marines, a proud organization that values integrity and honor, will not allow itself to be used for crooked ends.