Trillanes’ amnesty went through proper course, Gazmin recalls

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

Updated (7:01 p.m.)

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other former mutineers who were granted amnesty by former President Benigno S. Aquino III underwent through the proper course, former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Thursday.

“As far as I can remember all those who were granted amnesty went through the process. I am getting in touch with the Ad hoc committee so that facts can be refreshed, these happened many years ago,” he told reporters in a text message when asked if the senator filed an application for amnesty.

On Thursday, Trillanes presented documents from the Department of National Defense (DND) signed by Gazmin, stating that he applied for amnesty and it was consequently approved as certified by the Ad hoc committee.

President Rodrigo Duterte has voided the amnesty given to Trillanes, one of his fiercest critics, via Proclamation No. 572 issued on August 31, citing alleged failure of the legislator to file an application for amnesty and express admission of guilt.

The senator was absolved for his involvement in two failed mutinies in 2003 and 2007, which was staged to protest the alleged corruption during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, and was granted amnesty — along with other mutineers — via Proclamation No. 75 issued by Aquino. Mrs. Arroyo is now the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Part of Mr. Duterte’s proclamation cited a military certification, which states that there was “no available copy” of the Trillanes’ amnesty application from the records of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel or J1.

But documents presented by Trillanes as well as news footages of the event at Camp Aguinaldo seven years ago served as proof that he filed an application for amnesty.

“Whereas on Jan. 5, 2011, the following individuals filed their applications for Amnesty, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation Nr. 75 dated Nov. 24, 2010 in connection with their involvement and/or participation in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, 2006 Philippine Marines stand off and the 2007 Peninsula Manila Hotel siege, as indicated opposite their names,” the Ad hoc Committee Resolution No. 2 read.

The resolution also said the application for amnesty of Trillanes and other personnel went through a “careful and thorough evaluation.”

Moreover, Ad hoc Committee Resolution No. 2 recommended the approval of the application for amnesty of Trillanes and 38 other former officers and enlisted personnel via Presidential Proclamation Nr. 75. 

The resolution said the application for amnesty of Trillanes and other personnel went through a “careful and thorough evaluation.”

It also recommended the approval of the application for amnesty of Trillanes and 38 other former officers and enlisted personnel for amnesty under Presidential Proclamation Nr. 75. /kga