Mike Flood

MANILA, Philippines — Former Anakalusugan party-list congressman Michael “Mike” Defensor on Wednesday sought the help of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to locate the whereabouts of ex-Marine Sergeant Orly Guteza, the surprise whistleblower on flood control corruption scandal.

Defensor, who introduced Guteza to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta at the height of the Senate flood control inquiry, told the ‘Pandesal Forum’ at the Kamuning Bakery and Café in Quezon City on Wednesday that he and his family have been worried because they have lost contact with him since late last year.

During the same press briefing, Defensor showed the copies of the criminal complaints that the anti-graft office was set to file reportedly next month before the anti-graft court, Sandiganbayan, against ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez and fugitive – erstwhile Ako Bicol congressman Zaldy Co - for plunder, among others.

Praising Remulla for his courage and determination to push through with the filing of cases against Romualdez - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first cousin and current Leyte representative – and Co, Defensor said that he was felt vindicated because the affidavits presented by Guteza as well as the former 18 Marine members form huge part of the plunder complaint.

“I was really surprised upon reading it (complaint) that was already certified to be true to see their sworn statements, which indicated of their participation in bringing several suitcases loaded with money to Romualdez, form part of the Ombudsman’s complaints,” said Defensor, also a former environment and natural resources secretary.

Technically, Defensor said, Guteza would be already on the Ombudsman’s side.

“That is why, I am now appealing to Ombudsman Remulla to help us locate him (Guteza) as his family was already worried as he has no longer been communicating with them since the last time or several months ago when he was at the Senate for a supposed hearing that did not take place,” Defensor said.

Asked about the whereabouts of the former 18 Marines, the former lawmaker - nephew of late senator Miriam Defensor Santiago – said they have been in hiding with their respective family while receiving support and assistance from “our group.”

Like Guteza, Defensor said he was told by them that they were also ready to come out again if the Ombudsman would ask for more details from them, specifically on their alleged involvement in delivering suitcases loaded with money to Romualdez.

Back to Guteza, Defensor said the Ombudsman, at his disposal and influence, could be able to locate and protect him and his family.

“For the longest time, I kept silent but I’m now appealing to him (Remulla) and since his (Guteza) affidavits were already used by the Ombudsman in the complaints to be filed against Romualdez and Co, he must be shown in public to erase our suspicions and fears,” said Defensor, also a former Malacanang chief of staff.

At the same press conference, Defensor played a phone conversation between Guteza and his wife, which happened late last year, with which he expressed fear of his life while revealing that he was made to sign another affidavit, apparently by government authorities, to say that he was paid by him (Defensor) and Marcoleta and that he never delivered suitcases of money to Romualdez.

Asked about the case of his wife and daughter in connection with the raid conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation at the Bleu Hotel in Pasig City, Defensor maintained his position as per lawyer’s advice not to comment about it since he was not the one that was directly involved.

“It was already a legal matter and we let our lawyers do the job but life is really like that especially when you are talking about corruption involving those in the government, which are political matters, so to speak, but it was unfortunate that even personal matters like family are being involved,” he lamented.

He, however, did not elaborate.