MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) has denied providing protection or custody to Orly Guteza, the Senate witness who recently alleged delivering suitcases of cash to top political figures, clarifying that he has not been connected to the service since 2020.
PN spokesperson Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez made the clarification following reports that Guteza, a former Marine, was supposedly under the protection of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) for security reasons.
“As a retired serviceman, he no longer falls under the administrative authority of the PN. Any engagements or interactions he may have at present are undertaken in his personal capacity,” Martinez said.
She added that Guteza officially retired from the corps on June 30, 2020, and has had no official link to the organization since.
“It must also be made clear that Mr. Orly Regala Guteza is not under the protection of the PMC, which has no involvement in his personal affairs,” Martinez emphasized.
The Navy spokesperson underscored that the PMC — one of two major type commands under the Philippine Navy, along with the Philippine Fleet — remains uninvolved in the witness’s current undertakings.
Reports surfaced earlier this week suggesting that Guteza, who appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to accuse former lawmaker Zaldy Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez of receiving cash deliveries, was being kept under Marine custody for his safety.
Martinez, however, stressed that the Navy remains a professional, apolitical institution.
“The PN remains committed to its mandate as a professional and non-partisan organization, dedicated to upholding national sovereignty and serving the Filipino people with honor and integrity,” she said./PN
