Lacson: AFP, PNP won’t be affected by destabilization plot, 18 bagmen

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday expressed confidence that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will not be affected by supposed destabilization schemes involving the 18 bagmen of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

Lacson made the statement after noting that the uniformed services have distanced themselves from the 18 bagmen, who claimed to be former Marines and have delivered cash in suitcases to certain personalities linked to the flood control scandal.

READ: Senate under heightened security amid possible threat

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“I don’t think the AFP and uniformed services have any sympathy for the 18 Maleta Boys (bagmen). They’ve been disowned by the Philippine Marines and the AFP. So if those behind them assume that their antics would trigger something bigger and cause destabilization, I think they are wrong,” Lacson said in a radio interview, as quoted by his office in a statement.

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“Those behind the destabilization attempts should know better than to use the 18 ex-Marines as a rallying point for our Armed Forces. They should know the members of the AFP and PNP better than how they assume they will act. Whoever is behind the destabilization moves should know them better than that,” he added.

He also noted that any possible threats involving the 18 bagmen may have already been preempted after Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian previously ordered heightened security at the Senate and authorized employees to work from home.

“We are in the process of assessing and validating it with the help of intelligence units of our uniformed services,” Lacson added.

He cited the entry of the 18 alleged bagmen to the Senate last June 8, when, instead of attending a Blue ribbon committee meeting, they went to the office of Sen. Robinhood Padilla to hold a press conference while the blue ribbon meeting was ongoing.

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He also said the backers of the 18 bagmen even tried to harass Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (Ret.) P/Maj. Gen. Alfredo Corpuz so they could enter.

According to Lacson, it is not impossible that the 18 bagmen could have been used to start a commotion inside the Senate.

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“They had no intention to attend the hearing chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo, but why were they there and why did they insist on entering? They even harassed our Sergeant-at-Arms Gen. Corpuz and insisted on entering—for what? To hold a presscon? The way I assess it, they have a plan,” he said. /mcm

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