In a development that has sent shockwaves through the Philippine political landscape, a story of immense proportions is currently spreading like wildfire across social media and news outlets. It involves a detained individual, a sworn affidavit, and allegations so explosive that they threaten to rewrite the narrative of the previous administration. The man at the center of this storm is Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga, a figure who claims to have been deeply embedded in the inner workings of the country’s most powerful political family. His testimony, now reportedly in the hands of major news organizations, paints a disturbing picture of illicit trade, massive cash transfers, and a complex web of connections between government officials and controversial underground industries.

The revelations began to surface when reports confirmed that Madriaga, currently detained at a BJMP facility, had reached out to a lawyer due to fears for his safety. According to the exclusive updates, Madriaga claims to have been visited multiple times by individuals allegedly connected to Vice President Sara Duterte. These visits, often occurring late at night, have reportedly left him feeling threatened and anxious, prompting him to document his knowledge in a five-page notarized sworn statement. This document is not just a collection of rumors; it is a detailed account of his alleged role as a “bagman” and intelligence operative for the Duterte family, spanning several years.

One of the most jaw-dropping claims in Madriaga’s affidavit concerns the infamous “magnetic lifters” scandal that rocked the Bureau of Customs years ago. These massive industrial equipment were suspected of being used to smuggle billions of pesos worth of illicit substances into the country. Madriaga alleges that he was given direct orders to facilitate the release of these items from the Manila International Container Port. He claims that the order came from the very top of the Davao City leadership at the time. However, realizing the “hot” nature of the cargo, he reportedly hesitated, leading to a different turn of events where the lifters were eventually found empty in Cavite. His testimony suggests that he was merely a pawn in a much larger game of high-stakes smuggling.

The affidavit delves even deeper into the financial underbelly of political campaigns. Madriaga asserts that he was instrumental in forming the “Inday Sara Duterte is My President” movement and that the funds used for this operation were sourced from questionable entities, specifically linking them to POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) and known drug lords. This direct link between campaign finance and illicit industries is a bombshell that, if proven, could have severe legal and political consequences. It challenges the “law and order” image that the previous administration worked so hard to cultivate, suggesting instead a complicity with the very elements they claimed to fight.

Perhaps the most sensational part of his testimony involves the specific details of cash deliveries. Madriaga describes, with cinematic precision, how he and his associates transported vast sums of money. He speaks of duffel bags filled with 30 to 35 million pesos being delivered to a comedy bar in Quezon City and a location in Laguna. He details dropping off 80 million pesos in a mall parking lot in Mandaluyong, using a “leave-the-car” method where the keys were left on the tire for the recipient to pick up. The most staggering claim is a delivery in February 2020 involving a Super Grandia van loaded with 1 billion pesos, allegedly picked up in Muntinlupa. He even claims to have received a confirmation call from the former President himself after the delivery was made.

Who is Ramil Madriaga? According to his own account, his history with the Dutertes dates back to 2016. He claims to have served as an intelligence officer for the Department of Finance and the National Security Council before working directly for the family. He alleges that he was tasked with forming the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) and even recommended key officers to lead it. This background, if verified, places him in a position of extreme trust and access, making his current turn as a whistleblower all the more damaging. His detention on kidnapping charges—charges he claims are a fabrication meant to silence him after he sided with farmers against POGO operators in Bataan—adds a layer of desperation and complexity to his motives.

As the public digests these shocking allegations, the question on everyone’s mind is: where will this lead? Madriaga’s lawyer has stated that the ultimate goal is to submit this affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman to trigger a formal fact-finding investigation. The potential for a validation of these stories could lead to a political earthquake. For now, the “secret” is out, and the detailed nature of the claims—dates, locations, amounts, and names—makes it a story that cannot simply be dismissed. The nation watches with bated breath as the “bagman” sings, waiting to see if the walls of power will crumble under the weight of his confession.