PNP ‘respects’ court order denying gov’t petition for Trillanes’ arrest

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday it respects the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 to deny the petition of the justice department for a warrant of arrest and travel ban against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

“We will respect and abide to the court’s decision, and will the leave the case of Sen. Trillanes to the court,” PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. echoed Albayalde’s pronouncement, saying that the police will obey the order of any judicial authority.

“The PNP as a law enforcement agency will always respect and uphold whatever is the decision of any judicial authority,” he said.

Asked if this specifically applies to the order of the Makati RTC Branch 148 on Trillanes, Durana said: “Of course. It’s a judicial authority.”

The court ruled that Trillanes had applied for amnesty and had admitted guilt over his involvement in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny — in contrast with the Proclamation No. 572 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte — according to the court order read by Trillanes counsel, lawyer Reynaldo Robles.

READ: Makati RTC judge denies gov’t petition for arrest of Trillanes – DOJ

The court, however, affirmed that the President’s proclamation was valid.

Before the court order, Trillanes was arrested in September over another rebellion case handled by the Makati RTC Branch 150. He was given temporary freedom after posting bail.

Trillanes would have been jailed this time if the court upheld the motion of the DOJ, since his coup d’état case is non-bailable.

Trillanes’ misfortunes over his failed uprisings in 2003 and 2007 surfaced after Duterte issued Proclamation 572, which ordered the revocation of his amnesty granted by then President Benigno Aquino III. /ee

READ: Trillanes hails Makati court ruling: A victory for justice, democracy