Admin allies observe Trillanes’ ouster claims now sound like evidence

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV (left) and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (INQUIRER file photos)

MANILA, Philippines — The speculations raised by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on a possible destabilization plot have started to appear as corroborating evidence if the actions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s critics are considered, a lawmaker said on Wednesday.

In a press briefing in Makati, 1-Rider party-list Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said that while Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun may have tagged Trillanes as a ‘pambansang marites’ (national gossiper), the ex-senator’s claims are slowly being backed if attacks against the President are observed.

“The question of whether or not there is meat to that allegation, first and foremost, we would prefer not to engage in speculation. I remember yesterday, it was mentioned by Cong. Khonghun that he (Trillanes) is a gossiper, and that time, (it) solicited laughs,” Gutierrez said.

“But in the span of what, 24 hours, when you take into consideration the actions being done by close associates of the said personalities, the speculation is starting to look like corroborating evidence,” he observed.

“Of course, it’s still very far away, but it’s starting to look that way,” he added.

READ: Zambales solon to Trillanes: Don’t drag PNP, AFP in rumormongering 

Gutierrez agreed with observations made by Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who said that it seems the attacks against Marcos intensified after the Chief Executive participated in the trilateral summit between the Philippines, the United States and Japan.

“I think there’s a concerted effort really, because if you’d look at it, the development after the trilateral agreement,” Adiong recalled.

“There’s no way for you but to think na (that) maybe na there is, something deeper beyond what we are seeing – what’s happening in the committee hearing in the Senate, and simultaneously, the peace rallies that they also hold and conduct each month,” he said.

The lawmaker was also present in the briefing.

READ: Trillanes: ICC contacted 50 past, present PNP officials on Duterte case ase

“So, you connect the dots. You don’t need Senator Trillanes telling us all these. You just have to connect the dots. The pronouncements of those personalities closely associated with them. I mean, everything has. If this is a jigsaw puzzle, (then) everything is coming into place,” he added.

Trillanes — also former military personnel — said in a briefing on Tuesday that active senior Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel and retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials have been recruiting officers since 2023, supposedly in a bid to oust Marcos and install Vice President Sara Duterte as president.

Khonghun urged Trillanes to keep the AFP and PNP away from such talks, but lawmakers are now questioning why the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs believes in fake documents implicating Marcos for drug use.

The panel is headed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former PNP chief and a known ally of the Dutertes.

On Tuesday, dela Rosa denied Trillanes’ insinuations that he is being used by Duterte, saying that he will not allow himself to be used by the former president.

READ: Trillanes: Active senior PNP officials recruiting for Marcos ouster 

Trillanes said there may be a sense of urgency within the side of former president Rodrigo Duterte as the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue a warrant against persons involved in the drug war.

However, the PNP leadership has appealed to Trillanes to spare the organization from such issues.

READ: Trillanes told to spare PNP from rumors of ouster plot vs Marcos 

Duterte, who implemented the war against illegal drugs when he was in office from 2016 to 2022, is facing complaints for allegedly committing the crime against humanity.

Last April 24, Trillanes claimed that the ICC has contacted 50 past and present PNP officials to discuss the complaints against Duterte.