Two prominent soldiers also granted amnesty by former President Benigno S. Aquino III would not likely suffer the same fate as Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, according to Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, because of their ties with the Duterte administration.
Alejano expressed doubt on Wednesday that the government would review the amnesty granted to former Army Brig. Gen. Danny Lim and former Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon since both are now appointees of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Lim is the current chairperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) while Faeldon is now Deputy Administrator III at the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) after resigning as chief of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the height of the controversial smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabby from China in 2017.
“Well sa akin ganito, maliwanag naman ito na political persecution, tatargetin lang nila kung sino ang gusto nilang tatargetin,” Alejano said during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum.
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano explains why the government will not likely review the amnesty granted to former Army Brig. Gen. Danny Lim and former Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon since both are now appointees of President Rodrigo Duterte during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum on Wednesday, September 5, 2018. Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
“I doubt they will inspect also, they will say the same thing with General Lim of MMDA, Capt. Faeldon, hindi nila gagawin iyon,” he added.
Alejano pointed out that the motive behind what’s been happening to Trillanes has always been clear since the senator is one of the most vocal and fierce critics of the Duterte government.
On August 31, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 572 revoking the amnesty granted to Trillanes in 2010 citing that it was void from the start because the senator failed to file an application for amnesty and admit his guilt over the Oakwood mutiny in 2003 and Manila Peninsula siege in 2007. Mr. Duterte also ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to arrest Trillanes.
READ: Arrest Trillanes–Duterte / WHAT WENT BEFORE: Oakwood Mutiny and Trillanes’ 2nd try to oust Arroyo
But Trillanes in a speech at the Senate on Tuesday presented proofs that he complied with the requirements to obtain amnesty.
READ: Trillanes presents proof he applied for amnesty | Court documents show cases vs Trillanes, et al. dismissed in 2011
Alejano has eminded the PNP and AFP against “illegal orders” to arrest Trillanes. He also asked the PNP and AFP reject efforts to use their respective institutions to violate the country’s laws.
READ: Alejano to AFP, PNP: Ignore Duterte’s ‘illegal order’ to arrest Trillanes
“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 said. /kga