Trillanes dares Duterte: Declare revolutionary government

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a revolutionary government to push forward his personal interest, and spare the Police and Military from his political maneuvers.  

“Kung gagawa sila ng isang milagro e sa akin mag-declare na lang sila ng revolutionary government. Huwag na magpanggap,” he said in a press conference.

He said the administration is pushing for the revocation of his amnesty and arrest him even if he has already complied with all the requirements, and the charges filed against him already dismissed.

Trillanes did not say what he would do if Duterte declares a revolutionary government.

“Kapag nagdeclare na si Mr. Duterte ng revolutionary government, ibig sabihin nun wala na ‘yung Senado, wala na yung Supreme Court, e ‘yan ibig sabhin diktaturya na. Kapag ganyan e dun na magkakaalaman kung anong gagawin,” he said.

“Sa akin they can do their worst pero magkamali siyang mag-cross ng line, magkakaalam talaga,” he said, adding that he police and the military won't follow Duterte's order.

“I believe the members of the Armed Forces, the Defense department, alam nila yung lessons in history, alam nila yung mga nangyari nung martial law. Alam nila ‘yung legal at illegal order at alam nila na si Duterte hindi ito tatagal, mawawala at mawawala ito, believe me.”

Duterte’s spokesperson, Harry Roque, blasted Trillanes’ statement.

“Revolutionary government is only for those without constitutional mandate. President Duterte was duly elected and hence, constitutional,” Roque said in a message to reporters.

Duterte denied in November last year the idea of setting up a revolutionary government, after saying he would declare it if the country falls into chaos due to supposed destabilization attempts.

In a press conference on Thursday, Trillanes urged Duterte to be a man and just order his arrest instead of issuing a proclamation.

“Magpakalalaki ka kung gusto mo akong ipaaresto, make a categorical order. Huwag ‘yung isusubo mo ang AFP sa alanganin.  The AFP and PNP, wala naman silang pinanghahawakan dito. Inuutusan silang gumawa ng mali,” he said.

“Gusto ko sabihin niya sa harap ng camera, utusan ang AFP at PNP na balewalain ang lahat ng legalities at ipaaresto ako. ‘Yun ang gusto kong gawin niya. Aabangan ko na lang, iutos mo sa camera despite the legal obstacles, ram it through,” he added.

The senator said it is unfortunate that the military and police are being used.

“That’s very unfortunate, but that’s exactly what Duterte wants to do. He is using the AFP and the PNP so that he can achieve his political ends. And worse, he is making these maneuvers while he is outside the country. If you would review, the major or the controversial incidents in the country, most of them happen while Duterte is out of the country,” Trillanes said. —with Virgil Lopez/LBG, GMA news