MANILA (UPDATED) — Flood-control corruption whistleblower Orly Guteza is not under the protection of the Philippine Marine Corps, the Philippine Navy said Thursday after former Anakaslusugan Rep. Mike Defensor that he is.
The Marines are the Navy's infantry force and are under its command.
In a statement, Capt. Marissa Martinez, Navy spokesperson, said Guteza retired from the corps in June 2020 and "no longer falls under the administrative authority of the Philippine Navy."
She said that "any engagements or interactions he may have at present are undertaken in his personal capacity."
Martinez stressed that Guteza is not under the protection of the Philippine Marine Corps and that the Navy has "no involvement in his personal affairs."
She added the Navy is "a professional and non-partisan organization" that is focused on national defense.
The Navy’s statement came after Defensor claimed that Guteza — recently identified as a “surprise whistleblower” in Senate investigations — was in the custody or protection of the Marines.
Defensor, who gave no evidence of his claim, said Guteza had sought safety among “fellow ex-Marines” following the controversy surrounding his testimony.
Gen. Romeo Brawner, armed forces chief of staff, told reporters in Malaysia Thursday that he had directed his staff to look into the claim that Guteza is in the custody of the Marines.
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