Trillanes files libel, cyberlibel raps against Duterte supporters

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV files libel and cyber libel cases before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against “pro-Duterte” personalities and social media account holders due to “persistent online attacks and the dissemination of false accusations.” (Photo courtesy of the Office of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV)

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed libel and cyberlibel cases on Tuesday against “pro-Duterte” personalities and social media account holders due to “persistent online attacks and the dissemination of false accusations.”

The separate complaints for libel and cyber libel were filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) hosts and executives, and vlogger Byron Cristobal, also known as Banat By.

READ: Roque says oust Marcos plot a ‘hallucination’

Trillanes filed the complaint against Roque and Banat By for alleging that he sold and gave away the Scarborough Shoal to China during his backchannel talks in 2012.

“Despite my repeated explanations on what transpired during my backchannel talks, including official statements from incumbent government officials during Senate hearings conducted that we did not lose Scarborough, these pro-Duterte personalities continue to harp on this fake news to deflect blame from the Duterte administration,” Trillanes explained, as quoted in a press release from his office.

READ: PNP-CIDG files kidnapping complaint vs. Trillanes, 3 others

Meanwhile, a separate complaint was also filed against a certain Guillermina Barrido and SMNI hosts and executives for airing an interview in which Barrido “repeatedly alleged” the former senator was trying to persuade her and allegedly paid her to be a fake witness against then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

Barrido, in 2019, filed a kidnapping case against Trillanes, claiming she was held from December 6 to 21, 2016, and forced to sign a “ready-made affidavit to destroy the reputation of the present administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.”

Additionally, Trillanes also filed criminal complaints at the National Bureau of Investigation against the social media account owners of Mr. Realtalker or Lods Chinito (with Tiktok handles @chinitorealtalker and @chinitotisoy01); Melagin Nastor Evangelista or CATASTROPHE (with X handle @gurlbehindthisb); JoeLas (with X handle “@j_laspinas), Michael Gorre or KampilaBoy (with X handle @KampilanBoy); Hampaslupang Mandaragat (with X handle @JohnAmasa2); and X handle @SaraAll2028, “for similarly spreading disinformation and libelous statements about him.”