The Philippine Navy Denies Illegally Holding Orly Guteza: A Complex Web of Allegations and Counterclaims
The Philippine Navy has vehemently denied allegations made by former Anakalusagan Partylist Representative Mike Defensor, who claimed that Orly Guteza, a key witness in the Senate’s flood control projects corruption probe, was being illegally held by the Philippine Marine Corps. In a press briefing, Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez refuted the claim, emphasizing that Guteza’s family had not contacted any Marine or Navy personnel, and that the Navy’s intelligence units had thoroughly investigated the matter.
Martinez explained that the Navy’s investigation was a comprehensive process, involving multiple checks, validations, and inspections, as well as interviews with Guteza. She stated, ‘It was comprehensively done. It was validated, it was checked, inspected, and there were interviews also being conducted. Not only by the people that were tasked to do it, but also our intelligence units.’
The controversy began when Senator Rodante Marcoleta introduced Guteza to the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on September 25, claiming that Guteza had reached out to him through the help of Defensor. Defensor then alleged that Guteza was being detained by the intelligence arm of the Marines, initially taken for his safety but later held against his will. However, on September 30, Defensor initially stated that Guteza was under the protection of his fellow ex-Marines, a claim that was promptly denied by the Philippine Navy.
When asked about potential legal action, Martinez clarified that the Navy would focus on addressing active personnel spreading false information. She said, ‘For the Philippine Navy, I would want to focus on the active personnel who are spreading false information.’ She also mentioned that if misinformation originates from external sources, the Navy has a process to address it and specific agencies to conduct verification and validation.
In the Senate hearing, Guteza made further claims, including being a former security consultant for former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and personally delivering suitcases of money to the residences of Co and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez. The Navy’s denial of the illegal detention claim adds another layer of complexity to this ongoing political scandal, leaving many questions unanswered and inviting further scrutiny and discussion.