Palace: No politics in Trillanes’ indictment

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday distanced itself from the indictment of ex-Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and eight others for conspiracy to commit sedition, assuring that there was no politics involved.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Duterte had no hand in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) charging of Trillanes for the lesser offense of conspiracy to commit sedition.

“As a matter of policy, the President does not interfere in any proceeding involving the departments. If that is the finding of the DOJ, as he keeps on saying, let the law take its course,” Panelo told a press briefing.

The DOJ has charged Trillanes and several others with conspiracy to commit sedition before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court on Monday.

The offense carries a prison term of six months to six years, and a P2,000 fine.—Julie M. Aurelio