Trillanes’ cyberlibel complaint vs Harry Roque junked by QC prosecutor

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, that the cyberlibel complaint filed by former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque had been dismissed.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday that the cyberlibel complaint filed by former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque had been dismissed.

Trillanes filed the complaint and separate complaints against other “pro-Duterte” individuals in May 2024 due to their “persistent online attacks and the dissemination of false accusations.”

He filed the complaints before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

READ: Trillanes sues Duterte supporters

“The QC prosecutor found that there was insufficiency of evidence needed to file the criminal case,” DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano told reporters through Viber.

However, Clavano said Trillanes may still file a motion for reconsideration.

Trillanes sued Roque after he repeatedly alleged that the former senator sold and gave away Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to China during his back-channel talks in 2012, which he said was untrue.

“Despite my repeated explanations on what transpired during my back-channel 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.