‘Ex-marines’ face more complaints

FORMER Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV filed additional cyberlibel complaints on Monday before the Department of Justice (DoJ) against 18 alleged former marines and other personalities over what he called malicious claims tied to an alleged money delivery scheme.

Mr. Trillanes told reporters that the new charges stem from the group’s media interviews and public statements following their initial appearances, which he said contain “evolving” false allegations against him.

“This is the result of their interviews after their press conference, a few weeks ago,” Mr. Trillanes told reporters in Filipino. “In every interview they give, they can expect a case against them.”

Mr. Trillanes said that the group’s narrative shifted from their original statements to include new, inconsistent claims that money was delivered directly to his residence. Among the respondents, the complaint also includes four media personalities, whom Mr. Trillanes accuses of “inducing and provoking the malicious claims” during their broadcasts.

This filing follows a March 5 complaint in which Mr. Trillanes accused the same group of perjury and incriminating against an innocent person, stemming from a joint affidavit they submitted with the Office of the Ombudsman and a Feb. 23 press conference. During that event, the group alleged that Mr. Trillanes received $2 million from former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co to bribe International Criminal Court investigators, a claim he denied.

Mr. Trillanes said he will not hesitate to file further cases if the group persists in what he describes as spreading falsehoods. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking