Edwin Moreno 
WALANG kinalaman — o kaugnayan man lang — ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa testimonya ng 18 indibidwal na nagpakilalang mga dating sundalo mula sa Philippine Marine Corps.
Sa isang pahayag, iginiit ng AFP na hindi dapat iugnay sa militar ang 18 indibidwal na tumestigo sa pagdinig ng Senado hinggil sa flood control scandal.
Base sa testimonya ng 18 ex-Marines, sila mismo ang naghatid ng male-maletang pera sa mga mambabatas mula sa Senado at Kamara. Bukod sa mga senador at kongresista, kasama rin sa mga sinasabing hinatiran ng ‘maleta’ si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Paglilinaw ng AFP, na hindi na aktibong miyembro ng serbisyo militar nang maganap ang mga umano’y isinalaysay na insidente.
“While some reports have collectively described them as ‘Marines’ or ‘Ex-Marines,’ it is important to note that they were no longer in active military service at the time of the acts and allegations being discussed,” wika ni AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad.
“These were undertaken in their private capacities and not on behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” dagdag pa ni Trinidad.
“It should also be clarified that not all of the individuals concerned are former members of the Philippine Marine Corps. As such, the use of the term ‘Marines’ may unintentionally suggest institutional involvement by the AFP or the Philippine Marine Corps.”
