Trillanes: Documents prove I’m no longer a soldier

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV showed Wednesday documents which he said will prove he is no longer part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since 2007.

“These documents would prove that I am already separated from the Armed Forces of the Philippines effective August of 2007,” Trillanes told reporters in a press briefing at the Senate in Pasay City.

The senator also addressed AFP Spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo, his upperclassman in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), telling him that these are the documents that they are looking for.

“Meron pa bang malabo dyan?  I hope si Col. Arevalo, Sir, ito na ang dokumentong hinahanap ninyo, I will give these documents to the members of the media,” he said.

READ: ‘Not available at the moment’: DND still looking for Trillanes’ amnesty application

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV shows to the media at the Senate on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, a document to prove he had ceased being an active member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2007. Trillanes says this document would render the reconvening of a general court martial to try him over the 2003 and 2007 mutinies without basis. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

“So wala nang basis, walang court martial, walang kaso sa civilian court, so ano pa? Bakit niyo pa ako i-a-aresto?” he also asked.

On Tuesday, after Malacañang released a proclamation revoking the amnesty given to Trillanes in 2010, Arevalo said the AFP leadership has ordered the reconstitution of a general court martial to proceed with Trillanes’ trial over the 2003 and 2007 mutinies.

Arevalo explained the repeal of the senator’s amnesty would mean that Trillanes would be reverted to being an active member of the military. 

But Trillanes advised the AFP to review their documents properly to avoid wasting time.

“Wag na silang mag-aksaya ng panahon para sa court martial, kasi it’s really absurd to begin with,” he said.

“I suggested to my upperclassman, Col. Arevalo, to step up, study your documents, research, para hindi nagkakamali-mali sa public pronouncements,” he added. /kga

READ: WHAT WENT BEFORE: Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty

READ: WHAT WENT BEFORE: Oakwood Mutiny and Trillanes’ 2nd try to oust Arroyo