Makati city: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has initiated cyber libel complaints against former lawmaker Zaldy Co, lawyer Levito Baligod, and 18 "former Marines" who have accused him of alleged irregularities. Tiu Laurel submitted these complaints to the Makati City Prosecutor's Office, rejecting the accusations as "purely fiction."

According to Philippines News Agency, the respondents accused Tiu Laurel of involvement in importation irregularities and the delivery of kickbacks to government officials. The 18 former Marines previously alleged that they made weekly visits to Tiu Laurel's residence in Forbes Park to collect kickbacks, a claim that the Department of Agriculture has strongly denied.

Tiu Laurel clarified that he has not lived in Forbes Park since 2018, stating, "I live in another place in Makati, not in that village at all." He urged the 18 individuals, represented by Baligod, to disclose the truth and resist being manipulated by those behind these allegations.

The complaint against Co originated from his assertion connecting First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Martin Araneta to agricultural smuggling and importation issues within the Department of Agriculture. Tiu Laurel dismissed this claim as "total baloney."

He further cautioned individuals and groups against disseminating "fake news" about the Department of Agriculture.