Voiding of Trillanes’ amnesty a ‘proof of Duterte desperation,’ political party says
A political party on Tuesday said the revocation of the amnesty granted by the previous administration to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is a “clear proof” of President Rodrigo Duterte’s desperation to silence his opponents.
“Proclamation 572 is the latest act of political persecution committed by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Moreover, it is a clear proof of the President’s desperation to silence his dissenters,” a statement from Aksyon Demokratiko read.
Aksyon Demokratiko, the political party founded by the late Senator Raul Roco, also vowed to stand with Trillanes on the issue.
President Duterte revoked the amnesty granted to Trillanes, his staunch critic, on August 31. The amnesty was given by former President Benigno Aquino III in 2010.
Trillanes’ charges were based from his leadership of the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege against then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In the proclamation, the Duterte said Trillanes did not file an official amnesty application form.
READ: Duterte revokes Trillanes amnesty, orders his arrest
“Instead of targeting the members of the opposition, the President should prioritize the real problems – the continuous rise on the prices of basic needs and commodities; and rice shortage,” the party said in its statement.
“We stand by Sen. Trillanes and will never be cowed or silenced,” its statement read.
Meanwhile, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, denounced the lifting of Trillanes’ amnesty, saying it is part of Duterte’s “grand plan to wipe out the opposition and consolidate complete political power unto himself.”
Trillanes also called the matter a “huge joke.”
Malacañang, however, denied that the order was politically-motivated and said the plan to revoke the amnesty has been rolling out for two years. /vvp
