MANILA, Philippines — Kinondena ni Philippine Marine Corps commandant Major General Vicente Blanco III ang mga dating miyembro ng Marines na lumahok sa isang press conference kaugnay ng umano’y paghahatid ng pera sa mga politiko.
“It is unfortunate that in the recent presscon called by a private lawyer, three retired Marines involved themselves,” ani Blanco sa isang pahayag na ipinadala sa mga aktibong Marines.
Hinimok niya ang mga tauhan na huwag iugnay ang kanilang organisasyon sa “opportunistic groups or individuals trying to link their actions as being true Marine.”
“Barring use of force, threats, intimidation, and/or promise of rewards to them, based on the information available to us, we understand that their involvement was entirely of their own choosing, and that they did this on their own personal volition and as such, we should always look with disdain against opportunistic groups or individuals trying to link their actions as being true Marine,” aniya.
“They are unworthy of our respect,” dagdag pa niya.
Binigyang-diin din ni Blanco na ang mga dating miyembro na “Discharged Without Honor” ay hindi maaaring gamitin ang kasabihang “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” upang bigyang-katwiran ang kanilang ginawa.
“Reiterating our time-honored Marine ethos and our unquestioned and strong esprit de corps, an individual who was Discharged Without Honor could not claim the adage ‘Once a Marine, Always a Marine’ to lend credence to his actions,” aniya.
Noong Martes, 18 indibidwal na ipinakilalang umano’y ex-Marines, kasama ang kanilang abogado na si Atty. Levito Baligod, ang nagsabing naghatid sila ng mga maleta na puno ng pera sa ilang politiko at iniuugnay si Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at iba pa sa mga alegasyon. Itinanggi ng Malacañang at ng mga pinangalanang opisyal ang paratang.
“Paulit-ulit na kasinungalingan laban sa Pangulo, lousy script, hindi pang-award winning. Hindi malinis, alam mo na may kasinungalingan… so sino ba ang nasa likod nito?” ani Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.
“Siguro dapat malaman ninyo kung sino ba ang may-ari ng sasakyan na siyang sumundo sa kanila matapos ang press briefing o press conference nila. Paulit-ulit na kasinungalingan,” dagdag pa niya.
Ayon sa Philippine Navy, apat sa 18 ang hindi kailanman naging miyembro ng Navy o Marine Corps, at karamihan sa iba ay na-discharge nang dishonorably.
“We remind the public to be discerning and to verify the accuracy and credibility of information, including the source and platform used, in order to help prevent and counter misinformation, disinformation and malinformation which have become increasingly prevalent,” ani Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez. Santi Celario
