MANILA — Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Friday that he would withdraw the criminal complaints he filed against four former soldiers who reportedly recanted their earlier affidavits and allegations against him and other personalities.

Trillanes said he had instructed his lawyer to withdraw the cases following reports by GMA News that the four former soldiers had recanted their previous statements.

“Kaugnay sa report ng GMA news ng pag-recant ng apat na ex-soldiers ng kanilang mga naunang affidavits at allegations laban sakin, sa ICC at sa iba pang mga personalidad, sinabihan ko na ang aking abogado na i-atras na ang mga kaso na isinampa ko laban sa kanilang apat.”

He said that, as a former soldier, he sympathized with the four men, whom he said were exploited because of their lack of livelihood by individuals with political motives.

“Bilang dating sundalo, nagsisimpatya ako sa pinagdadaanan nila na dahil sa kawalan ng kabuhayan ay pinagsamantalahan sila ng mga taong may madilim na layuning political.”

Trillanes said he hoped the former soldiers had learned a serious lesson from the events and that other former soldiers involved in the allegations would likewise realize they were being misled.

“Sana ay may natutunan silang mabigat na leksyon sa mga pangyayaring ito. Umaasa rin ako na maliliwanagan din ang iba pang ex-soldiers na hanggang ngayon ay nililinlang pa rin.”

The four men were among 18 individuals who identified themselves as former security personnel of former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, including some who said they were former Marines.

The group surfaced publicly in February 2026 and executed affidavits alleging that they had delivered suitcases containing cash to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Co, and other personalities. Lawyer Levi Baligod presented their affidavits.

The men also accused Trillanes of receiving $2 million intended to bribe investigators of the International Criminal Court.

Trillanes denied the allegations and filed criminal complaints against four of the former soldiers.

The former Philippine Navy officer said he had already communicated with his lawyer regarding the withdrawal of the cases.

He also expressed hope that the other former soldiers would eventually be “enlightened” about the allegations.