Palace congratulates Davao City for declaring Trillanes persona non grata

Malacañang on Tuesday congratulated Davao City officials for declaring Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, as persona non grata.

"I do not know how you want me to react because this has nothing to do with the President and I speak for the President. Other than that, congratulations Davao City," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a press briefing in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

As persona non grata, Trillanes will not be welcome in Davao City.

The declaration was made during the regular session of the Davao City Council, citing Trillanes' comment that Davao allegedly had the the highest incidence of murder and second highest in rape in 2015.

In his privilege speech, Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag said Trillanes' comment was a big insult.

Trillanes, in response, said the "truth definitely hurts." —KBK, GMA News