Magdalo solons back Trillanes’ expose of alleged destabilization plot vs Aquino

Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Two solons who were involved in the failed 2003 Oakwood mutiny said they also received word of destabilization moves against President Benigno Aquino III.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said moves from retired generals allied with former president Gloria Arroyo to oust the current administration were validated by the intelligence community.

“We have heard the information. It has been validated by the intelligence community,” he said, adding that as a former soldier, he had connections to the military.

Magdalo Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo added that he would defer to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, whom he said has a more reliable source to the ouster moves.

Trillanes was the first to blow the lid on the alleged moves by Arroyo-allied retired generals to oust President Aquino.

Acedillo said such moves would not prosper because the conditions do not call to replace the president.

“We believe that the conditions do not call for it. The president has been supportive of the police and military,” Acedillo said.

He added that Arroyo may not be the culprit behind the destabilization moves.

“We are forthright that we have limited information,” Acedillo added.

Acedillo, a former Air Force lieutenant, and Alejano, former Navy captain, were detained for seven years for their involvement in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, when hundreds of Magdalo soldiers led by Trillanes seized Oakwood serviced apartments in Makati in a failed bid to force Arroyo to resign over alleged corruption.

Alejano joined Trillanes in their walk-out from a court hearing in 2007 for a six-hour siege in Manila Peninsula Hotel, before they surrendered to authorities. Acedillo did not join the walk-out.

Alejano was detained in Camp Crame Custodial Center while Acedillo in Villamor Airbase while they faced trial for rebellion charges.

Trillanes sought amnesty from President Aquino in 2011, and got it two weeks before the Makati Regional Trial Court was to hand down its verdict on his case.

Acedillo and Alejano ran in the 2013 elections under Magdalo party-list which won two seats.

Ironically, it is now Arroyo who is under hospital detention as she faces plunder charges over the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.

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