Trillanes plan to leave Senate aborted

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s plan to leave the Senate this Thursday is not going to happen, after all.

Trillanes cited several incidents that prevented him from leaving the Senate.

Just a few hours ago after announcing his plan to leave the Senate, he said, his car went out to refuel but was followed by “personnel” on board motorcycles.

“At ito ay sinundan ng ilang mga naka-motorsiklo na personnel at nakuhanan namin ng photographs,” he told reporters.

“And at the same time, it was reported to us na suddenly noong na report ng media ay nagkaroon ng augmentation yung PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel outside at ang intention daw paglabas ko they will stop me from going back in,” the senator added.

Trillanes said he also received a “warning” from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) arresting units that he would really be arrested once he steps out of the chamber.

“With that, ang decision is again to remain in the Senate for as long as walang categorical statement yung AFP na hindi nila ako aarestuhin by virtue of that proclamation or any Court Marshall charge at na validate namin sa ground na ganun nga hindi nila kami aarestuhin, it’s more prudent to stay here in the meantime,” the senator said.

Trillanes was referring to Proclamation 572 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte, revoking his amnesty and ordering his arrest.

Since the issuance of the proclamation, the senator decided to stay in the Senate to avoid possible arrest even without a court order.