‘Bagmen’ being probed for possible link to Senate security threat

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has tightened security after intelligence reports indicated that the 18 men who identified themselves as former “bagmen” of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co may be linked to a reported threat against the chamber.

Acting Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said on Wednesday that information came from National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag, who briefed senators on intelligence reports suggesting a group may attempt to disrupt Senate operations.

“[Matibag] said there’s a possibility that there will be troublemakers in the Senate, and that they will be an armed group,” Gatchalian told reporters during a virtual press briefing.

Asked if the 18 men were among those being investigated, Gatchalian replied: “According to the NBI, it might be connected to them.”

READ: Tulfo rejects ‘18 Marines’ label, calls alleged bagmen ‘kargadors’

He stressed that the information remains under validation by intelligence agencies and is being consolidated by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

The Senate has coordinated with the NBI, Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to verify the reports.

Abundance of caution

As a precaution, the Senate placed its premises under heightened security, barred visitors from entering the complex, and implemented work-from-home arrangements for employees from June 10 to 11.

READ: 18 ‘ex-Marines’ at Senate to visit Padilla, not to attend BRC

“These measures are out of an abundance of caution,” Gatchalian said, emphasizing that legislative and administrative operations, including preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, would continue as scheduled.

“We have to take it seriously because my top priority is the safety of the employees, members of the media, and the senators,” he said.

Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms chief Alfred Corpus said security personnel have intensified patrols and conducted security sweeps while awaiting feedback from law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

“The measures will be strictly enforced until the threat level is downgraded,” Corpus said.

The reported link surfaced as authorities continue investigating the 18 men, who emerged publicly in February claiming to be former Marines who served as bagmen for Co and delivered billions of pesos in alleged kickbacks from flood-control projects to government officials and lawmakers.

Ombudsman probe

The Office of the Ombudsman said its investigators would continue interviewing the group on Thursday as part of an ongoing fact-finding inquiry.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said investigators would assess the credibility of the men’s allegations and determine which claims are supported by evidence.

“These types of details are considered confidential under our rules for fact-finding,” Clavano said when asked whether the interviews were related to the complaint against former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The men have claimed they delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood-control projects to several personalities, including Romualdez, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Defensor no-show at NBI

Meanwhile, former congressman Mike Defensor skipped a scheduled appearance before the NBI, calling a subpoena issued to him part of a “pattern of harassment.”

Defensor had been summoned over allegations that he offered P5 million to each of the 18 men in exchange for testimony related to the flood-control controversy. Through his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, he dismissed the accusations as hearsay. Matibag declined to comment.

Authorities have not disclosed further details about the reported threat, citing ongoing intelligence validation and security concerns.

Win asserts leadership

Gatchalian later assured Senate employees that salaries, benefits, and operational expenses would not be affected by the ongoing leadership dispute in the chamber. He said he had authorized the release of payroll for the Senate’s nearly 2,100 employees and maintained that chamber operations remain normal.

He also rejected proposals for a power-sharing arrangement, saying there is only one acting Senate leader recognized by the majority.

“There’s only one Senate President Pro Tempore. There’s only one designated acting Senate President and, therefore, since we were elected to do that, we will fulfill our role and ensure the Senate operations will not be stalled,” he told reporters.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson echoed the position, saying Senate employees should no longer be confused about whose directives to follow, noting that the Gatchalian-led majority bloc has been recognized by the Civil Service Commission and other government institutions.

“It is clear whose leadership Malacañang, the House of Representatives, the Civil Service Commission, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and other groups recognize,” he said in a statement. —With reports from John Eric Mendoza and Mary Joy Salcedo /atm