Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the decision to arrest 18 former bodyguards of the fugitive ex-Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, along with their lawyer Levito Baligod, is now in the hands of the courts. The individuals face perjury and cyber libel charges across four Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) in Metro Manila.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOJ Undersecretary Ian Dato stated in a press briefing that the responsibility lies with the judges to personally determine the validity of issuing arrest warrants. The recommended bail is set at PHP18,000 for perjury charges and PHP10,000 for cyber libel charges per accused. The accused have filed a motion for reconsideration regarding the charges.

Undersecretary Nicholas Ty explained that the filing of a motion for reconsideration does not impede the DOJ from submitting criminal information to the court. He emphasized that the DOJ continues its procedures even when a motion for reconsideration is present in ongoing cases.

The charges stem from various complaints about the accused's involvement in executing and disseminating joint sworn statements, hosting press conferences, conducting interviews, and posting on social media and other online platforms. The 18 individuals face 10 separate Informations for six counts of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act (RA) 10175, known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and four counts of perjury.

Levito Baligod is implicated as a co-accused with the '18 maleta boys' in particular Informations. Additionally, a separate Information for one count of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of RA 10175 has been filed against Baligod. Meanwhile, other complaints were dismissed due to insufficient prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.