Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano on Wednesday rallied the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to shun the “illegal order” of President Rodrigo Duterte to arrest his critic, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
In a statement, the Magdalo lawmaker underscored that Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572 was baseless.
“There is no warrant of arrest and there are no charges to begin with. Therefore, the order to the AFP and PNP to apprehend Senator Trillanes is an illegal one,” he said.
“I call on the AFP and PNP to not follow illegal orders. Huwag nilang hayaan na gamitin ang kanilang institusyon sa isang bagay na lumalabag sa ating mga batas. I would like to remind them that they swore to uphold and protect the laws of the land,” he added.
WHAT WENT BEFORE: Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty
The opposition lawmaker likewise reminded the uniformed personnel that they are “not private armies of the President.”
“They are the army of and for the Filipino people. Do not stain the integrity of the military and police before the Filipino people by acting as pawns to a dictator,” Alejano said.
Duterte earlier ordered the arrest of his vocal critic, arguing that the former Navy officer who staged mutinies in 2003 and 2007 against then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had not applied for amnesty and had not admitted his guilt.
READ: Arrest Trillanes–Duterte
WHAT WENT BEFORE: Oakwood Mutiny and Trillanes’ 2nd try to oust Arroyo
Trillanes countered by showing an actual video of his amnesty filing and the court documents showing that the cases against them had been dismissed.
READ: Trillanes presents proof he applied for amnesty | Court documents show cases vs Trillanes, et al. dismissed in 2011
Other lawmakers and lawyers also pointed out that the President needs the approval of Congress before voiding the amnesty given to Trillanes. /muf
READ: Revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty needs Congress approval — solons
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