Palace to Trillanes: Respect Makati RTC’s arrest order

Malacañang on Tuesday asked opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to respect the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court and “voluntarily surrender and face charges against him”.

The pronouncement came after the Makati RTC Branch 150 issued a warrant of arrest against Trillanes for rebellion in connection with the Manila Peninsula Siege in 2007. The court set the bail at P200,000.

“He can still appeal the decision of the Regional Trial Court on the issue… but meanwhile he has to honor the jurisdiction of the court unless for the time being he’s able to get a restraining order from the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Right now that warrant of arrest is immediately executory and he should show respect to our court practices, voluntarily surrender and face the charges against him without prejudice to whatever remedy his lawyers may have for him,” he added.

Last August 30, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 572, revoking the amnesty given to Trillanes for being “void ab initio” or void from the beginning as the senator allegedly failed to comply with the requirements of filing an application for amnesty and admitting his guilt. /kga