MANILA, Philippines—Outgoing Senator Antonio Trillanes IV bared his evidence on Tuesday to debunk Peter Joemel Advincula’s allegation that there was a plan to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a press conference at the Senate, Trillanes presented Advicula’s alleged text messages to clergies, whom he supposedly approached for sanctuary last year, and a video of him, making allegations against certain people.
Screenshots of a series of text messages furnished to reporters also indicate Advincula allegedly sending messages in August 2018.
In one of the text messages, Advincula supposedly said: “Padre kunan mo na aku ng video para may marecord ka ng testimonya ko! Yung sa maghintay kaya ko yun padre! Pero yung sisihin palagi aku yun ang d ko kaya padre! Planu ko ng tapusin ang buhay! Ang sakit sakit na ng ulo ko!”
From the Office of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
Another text message also showed Advincula, asking for money for house rental and transportation cost.
Trillanes said the text messages showed that there was no oust plot and that it was Advincula, who volunteered his information to the priests.
“Makikita nyo yung tema ha, sya [Advincula] yung nangungulit dun sa mga nagkukupkop sa kanya. Kabaligtaran yan dun sa kanyang alegasyon na ito ay sinusubo sa kanya na sya ay parang robot na sinususian lang, so baligtad,” the senator said.
“Wala kang makikitang ouster plot dyan. Wala kang makikitang sinusubuan sya ng script nang kung sino man,” he added.
Trillanes said the video also showed that Advincula’s statements were not scripted.
“Nakita nyo ba na may script? Nakita nyo ba na dinidiktahan sy ang kung sino? Sya yun. Yung mga allegation nya nangaggaling sa kanya with feelings pa,” Trillanes said after showing the video.
“The point of that video is galing sa kanya lahat ng alegasyon nya,” he added.
Advincula is claiming to be “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos that linked Duterte’s relatives and allies to the illegal drug trade.
But last May 6, Advincula recanted his allegations and accused the Liberal Party and some opposition members, including Trillanes, in an alleged plot to oust Duterte. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
