Zaldy Co’s bagmen, Baligod arrested for unjust vexation

MANILA, Philippines — Fourteen alleged bagmen of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co and their lawyer Levi Baligod have been ordered arrested yet again, this time by a Zambales court for unjust vexation.

The group was arrested at the San Juan Hall of Justice on Friday around 9:30 a.m. after attending a hearing there.

Presiding Judge Santiago Beltran Jr. of Iba, Zambales Regional Trial Court Branch 69 issued the arrest warrant on Sept. 23 against Baligod, Bernard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Johny Buduan, Rodante Orbillo, Reyneboy Julian, Christopher Esquivel, George Villalon Jr., Romeo Rommel Bobares, Gil Navidad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely Cadiao, Rommel Galapon, Cecilio Larroder Jr., Bernard Gumban, Crisanie Dado, Fidel Corpuz, Walter Manalansan and Benny Bulontate.

They all face charges of unjust vexation in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. It is unclear who filed the case against them in Zambales.

Tube, Waupan, Bulontate and Larroder Jr. had already turned their backs on the group, executing new affidavits in July that accusations of flood-control kickbacks delivered to over 30 government officials were untrue.

The remaining bagmen – who call themselves the “Brave 14” – were at the San Juan court to attend a hearing in one of their cyber libel cases.

The Zambales court fixed the bail at P10,000 each.

Baligod and four bagmen were released in the afternoon, but 10 others remain in custody after they failed to complete their release documents during office hours.