Manila court orders arrest of ‘Bikoy’ over failure to attend own arraignment

FILE PHOTO: Peter Joemel “Bikoy” Advincula at Camp Crame on May 23, 2019. INQUIRER file photo / Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — A Manila City court has ordered the arrest of Peter Joemel “Bikoy” Advincula for his failure to attend his arraignment on Wednesday in connection with the perjury case filed by lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).

In a one-page order, the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 17 has canceled the bail posted by Advincula for his temporary liberty.

“In view of the failure of the accused to appear in today’s hearing despite notice and upon motions of both the private prosecutor and public prosecutor, let the cash bail posted by Peter Joemel Advincula be forfeited and confiscated in favor of the government,” the court said.

“Issue a warrant of arrest against him with bail set at double the amunt of the previous bail posted by the accused,” the court added.

Advincula is the self-confessed hooded narrator from the video series “Ang Totoong Narcolist.” The videos alleged that close allies and relatives of President Rodrigo Duterte are involved in the illegal drug trade.

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has filed criminal complaints against those behind the video series, including FLAG lawyers former senatorial candidates Chel Diokno and Erin Tañada, and former Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Theodore Te. The three denied the allegations.

While the complaint is undergoing preliminary investigation, the three lawyers filed perjury raps against Advincula.

Eventually, the prosecutor dismissed the complaint against the three lawyers while a separate panel of prosecutors indicted Advincula.

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Manila Court orders arrest of ‘Bikoy’