The Office of the Ombudsman has directed 18 former soldiers to provide individual affidavits instead of relying solely on their previously filed joint statement.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed that his office sent a letter to the group’s lawyer, Atty. Levito Baligod, instructing him to present separate testimonies from each signatory.
Remulla stressed that affidavits must reflect personal knowledge and experiences, not identical accounts across multiple individuals.
He questioned the credibility of the joint affidavit, which contained allegations implicating senators, lawmakers, and other officials in the supposed delivery of large sums of money.
The Ombudsman has also tasked the National Bureau of Investigation to verify the identities of the former soldiers, noting that some are facing murder charges.
Despite these concerns, Remulla assured the public that the investigation will be handled fairly and professionally, emphasizing that the process will not be influenced by personal bias but will rely on the evidence presented.
This move signals a deeper probe into explosive corruption allegations, ensuring that each testimony stands on its own merit.
