Baligod, 4 ex-bodyguards of Zaldy Co post bail

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Lawyer Levito Baligod and four former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co posted bail and were freed on Friday after their arrest in San Juan City.

They were freed after 5 p.m., according to a report by GMA News reporter Jun Veneracion.

Ten other former bodyguards of Co meanwhile were not able to post bail in time on Friday before office hours ended.

San Juan City Police chief Police Colonel Anthony Gantang earlier said Baligod and the others were arrested at the San Juan Hall of Justice at around 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Baligod was at the Hall of Justice to attend a court hearing.

The arrest warrant was reportedly issued by the Iba, Zambales Regional Trial Court Branch 69, which set the bail at P10,000 each.

“Doon po sa warrant of arrest niya, ang nakalagay po ay, ang kaso ay unjust vexation, in relation to RA 10175. ‘Yun pong Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,” Gantang said.

(The warrant of arrest states that the case is unjust vexation in relation to RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.)

To recall, the bodyguards previously claimed that they delivered suitcases of cash to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Leyte Representative and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other individuals. Marcos, Romualdez, and others have denied the allegations.

However, in August, four of the 18 signed affidavits recanted their allegations. They said they just wanted to live quietly, adding that there are threats to their lives. —KG, GMA News