Philippine opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV leaves the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 after it has issued an order for his arrest Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 in metropolitan Manila, Philippines. A Philippine court ordered Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s fiercest critic in Congress arrested Tuesday after the president revoked the senator’s 2011 amnesty for a failed coup attempt and revived rebellion charges against him in an unprecedented legal move the legislator called a blow to democracy. Trillanes later posted bail. AP
Exactly three weeks after being holed up in the Senate, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV voluntarily turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday.
This after the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 150 ordered his arrest for rebellion in relation to the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.
“Gaya ng sinabi ko, sasama ako sa arresting team pagka merong warrant, no matter how unjust that warrant may be,” Trillanes told reporters.
(Like I said, I will go with the arresting team when there’s a warrant, no matter how unjust that warrant may be.)
Trillanes, one of the staunchest critics of President Rodrigo Duterte, branded his arrest as an “end of democracy” in the country.
“Natalo po ang demokrasya ngayong araw na ito,” he said.
(Democracy lost today.)
“Officially ay wala na po tayong demokrasya (We officially have no democracy). This case goes beyond me,” he said.
Trillanes insisted that he has not committed a crime, citing the amnesty granted to him by the previous administration.
“Ito ay maliwanag na pang-iipit ni Mr. Duterte sa mga kritiko niya sa pulitika at ‘yung mga nagsasabi ng totoo at hindi niya maharap,” he said.
(This is clearly Mr. Duterte’s way of suppressing his critics in politics and he can’t face those who are saying the truth.)
Before surrendering to authorities, Trillanes met with his colleagues in the minority bloc and even attended the regular session at the Senate.
At the session hall, Trillanes could be seen talking to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and also with the minority members led by senator Franklin Drilon.
Sergeant At Arms Jose Balajadia said the arrest warrant was served to Trillanes by PNP-National Capital Region Police Office Guillermo Eleazar at the Senate lounge.
Eleazar recited the senator’s Miranda rights also at the said lounge.
Onboard a police mobile patrol, Trillanes and Eleazar left the Senate premises.
Trillanes said they would post his bail at the Makati court.
The senator had been holed up in his Senate office since September 4 after President Rodrigo Duterte revoked his amnesty and ordered his arrest via Proclamation No. 572 issued last August 30. /kga, je
Updated on Sept. 25, 2018 @ 4:02 p.m.