DOJ indicts Trillanes, ‘Bikoy’ and 9 others of conspiracy to commit sedition
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a criminal case against former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and 10 others for their involvement in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos that linked President Rodrigo Duterte, his family to the illegal drug trade.
Aside from Trillanes, also charged before the Metropolitan Trial Court in Quezon City were the following:
-Peter Joemel Advincula, the man who introduced himself as “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos released during the 2019 election campaign period
-Jonnel P. Sangalang
-Yolanda Ong
-Fr. Flaviano Villanueva
-Fr. Albert E. Alejo,
-Vicente R. Romano III,
-film actor Joel Saracho,
-Eduardo Acierto,
-publicist Boom Enriquez, and
-a certain “Monique.”
In its 57-page resolution dated Jan. 27, 2020, the details of which were made public Monday, said there was enough evidence to indict the 11 respondents of conspiracy to commit sedition.
Citing Article 141 of the Revised Penal Code, the Panel noted that criminal liability arises for individuals who conspire or agree to raise commotions and disturbances to attain by force, intimidation, or any other means outside of the legal methods any of the following objectives: a) to prevent the promulgation or execution of any law or the holding of any popular election; b) to prevent the National Government, or any Provincial or Municipal Government, or any public officer thereof, from freely exercising its or his functions, or prevent the execution of any administrative order; c) to inflict any act of hate or revenge upon the person or property of any public officer or employee; d) to commit, for any political or social end, any act of hate or revenge against private persons or any social class; and e) to despoil, for any political or social end, any person, municipality or province, or the National Government of all its property or any part thereof.
In its case, the panel said the “interlocking pieces of proof” include the online publication of the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, the press conference of Advincula at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines office where he admitted to being the hooded figure in the video, Acierto’s press statement accusing the President and his close allies of having a hand in illegal drug trade.
