Alejano assails ‘continued political persecution’ vs opposition, Trillanes

Gary Alejano

JARO, Iloilo — Emergence of new cases as well as latest developments on previous charges against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV were all part of “continued political persecution” against critics of the administration.

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano made this remark Friday, as he defended his fellow former soldier amid rumors that the senator would allegedly be arrested.

“Ito ay bahagi lamang ng patuloy na political persecution sa oposisyon lalo na kay Senator Trillanes,” Alejano said in an ambush interview following a closed-door meeting at the Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo.

Alejano, who along with Trillanes figured in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and 2007 Manila Peninsula siege, said the senator should enjoy immunity from suits, especially since he issued pronouncements during a privilege speech at the Senate floor.

“Ang sinasabi, ay hindi naman talaga immune daw and mga senator ‘pag may sinasabi sila sa plenaryo.  Sa akin po dapat absolute ‘yan, papaano ka magkakaroon ng malayang pamamahayag, kung babatikusin mo ang naka-upo sa administrasyon kung takot ka palang magsalita at pwede kang kakasuhan?” Alejano asked.

“Hindi lamang tinatamaan nito ang malayang pamamahayag, tinatamaan din ang independienteng katawan ng Senado kung kakasuhan mo pala ‘yong tingin mo sagabal sa polisiya mo,” the lawmaker added.

Earlier, reports said a case of grave threats was filed against Trillanes. The case was said to have stemmed from an incident at the Senate between Trillanes and Labor Undersecretary Jacinto Paras in May 2018.

Apart from this new case, Trillanes is facing other legal issues brought about by President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572, which voided the amnesty granted to the senator by the Aquino administration.

Cases regarding the 2003 and 2007 mutinies were already dismissed, but re-opened following Proclamation No. 572, which also ordered for Trillanes’ arrest.

The senator is currently out on bail after Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150, which handles the rebellion case against Trillanes, ordered his arrest last September.

In another case before Makati RTC Branch 148, which handles the coup d’état case against the senator, the arrest order was voided on the premise that the case has already been decided.

READ: Makati judge revives rebellion case vs Trillanes

READ: Makati judge rejects DOJ bid to arrest Trillanes

Moreover, Trillanes posted bail for libel charges filed by former Davao City Vice Mayor and Presidential son Paolo Duterte, in relation to the senator’s statements that Paolo and his brother-in-law, lawyer Maneses Carpio, are allegedly involved in drug smuggling. /kga

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