Aguirre says Trillanes, Bam Aquino, Alejano met in Marawi prior to attacks

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday asked the intelligence community to probe the meeting in Marawi City of opposition lawmakers and certain families weeks before the May 23 attacks perpetrated by the extremist Maute group.

Speaking to reporters, Aguirre said it was possible that the May 2 meeting attended by Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV and Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano could have “sparked the terroristic acts in Marawi."

Also present at the meeting were former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas and local leaders.

"Hindi ko malaman why after they went there nagkagulo na after two weeks. They met with the people there, they met with several families there,” Aguirre said.

The Justice secretary said the government should also check if the opposition lawmakers were the ones who brought money to Marawi following the discovery by the military of the P79 million in cash and checks from a stronghold of the Maute group in Marawi City.

"But I don't want to connect it (the meeting to Marawi siege) unless there's evidence dun sa money taken," Aguirre said.

Aguirre also left it to the military and police to do the investigation on the recovered money.

"Let's wait for the results of the investigation," he said.

Fake news, says Bam

Sought for comment, Aquino said no such meeting occurred.

He said he was the commencement speaker of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, and also attended the Senate session thereafter, on the said date.

Aquino said he went to Marawi on May 19 to launch the first Negosyo Center in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which even Trade Secretary Mon Lopez has already clarified.

“I had with me an AFP escort throughout my trip, which can easily be verified through the AFP. Vice Gov. [Mamintal] Adiong, Gen. [Rolando] Bautista and Gen. [Nixon] Fortes were also with me during the event,” Aquino added.

“These are easily verifiable for anyone who cares to find the truth. It would be prudent for Sec. Aguirre to clarify dates, seek evidence and request for official statements from legitimate government agencies before he makes yet another false accusation,” the senator said.

Aquino said Aguirre fell victim to “fake news.” 

“Is fake news enough for the head of our country’s Department of Justice to make these outrageous allegations?” he said.

Don't get intel from FB —Trillanes

Trillanes, too, denied Aguirre's accusation. "For the record, I am not involved in any way with the Maute group or the Marawi incident. [Defense] Sec. [Delfin] Lorenzana said so himself,” he said.

“I also did not have any meeting in Marawi in May 2 since I haven't visited Marawi for the past three years. But don't take my word for it, simply check the Senate records for May 2,” he said.

Trillanes said Aguirre’s allegation speaks of his “incompetence” and “stupidity.”

“The incompetence of Aguirre is only matched by his stupidity. I would advise him to avoid getting his intel from Facebook conspiracy theorists,” the senator said. — MDM/NB, GMA News