The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday, Nov. 18, denied claims that retired Marine Sergeant Orly Regala Guteza—who alleged delivering cash-filled suitcases to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co—is in the custody of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).
In a statement, PN spokesperson Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez said Guteza has long retired from the Marines and is living entirely in his personal capacity, not under any military protection.
“The Philippine Navy strongly asserts that claims regarding the custody, protection, or safekeeping of Mr. Orly Regala Guteza and his family by the Navy, particularly the Philippine Marine Corps, are unfounded, unsupported by evidence, and have no basis in fact,” she said.
Martinez said the PN conducted a thorough verification, including inspections and intelligence validations, after renewed claims online by former Anakalusugan Representative Mike Defensor that Guteza is being illegally detained by the intelligence unit of the PMC.
After its investigation, Martinez declared that Guteza “is not under Navy custody or protection in any form.”
Martinez said the PN, as a professional and disciplined institution, upholds and respects the Philippine Constitution, constitutional processes, and democratic institutions.
“We fully recognize the importance of accountability, transparency, and the duty of every citizen to appear when summoned,” she noted.
“The Navy does not, and will never, harbor, conceal, or shield any individual from legal processes. It is contrary to our core values, our oath of service, and the sacrifices made by generations of sailors and Marines who have served this nation with honor,” she added.
It was revealed that Guteza had retired from the Marines since June 30, 2020.
Guteza entered the spotlight on Sept. 25 during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing where he was presented as a surprise witness by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
According to Marcoleta, Guteza approached him with the assistance of Defensor.
During the hearing, Guteza said he previously worked as a security consultant for Co, former chair of the House appropriations committee.
He alleged that he delivered multiple suitcases containing cash to the residences of Co and Romualdez.
The lawmakers named denied the allegations while questions about the authenticity of Guteza’s notarized affidavit have prompted a separate review by authorities.
Later, Co claimed to have delivered cash-filled luggages to President Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan, and tagged the latter as the mastermind behind the corruption issue, an allegation vehemently denied by the Chief Executive.
The Senate has resumed its investigation into the corruption issues hounding the flood control funds but Guteza went missing. (Martin Sadongdong)
