Trillanes refutes bribery claim, links Duterte camp to 'propaganda game'

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday dismissed the bribery allegation against him by a Davao City-based woman and linked President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies to the “propaganda game.”

In a press conference, Trillanes explained that a meeting was held with Guillermina Barrido Arcillas on November last year wherein she accused Duterte of being involved in illegal drugs, but she failed to pass the “screening process.”

Present at the meeting held in Manila were one of Trillanes’ staff members; Atty. Jude Sabio, lawyer for confessed hitman Edgar Matabato; and Fr. Albert Alejo.

A copy of the video taken during that meeting was presented by Trillanes to the media during the press conference.

“Maliwanag sa video na nagsasalaysay siya ng kusa…Definitely, it’s not true na fineed-an siya ng kahit ano. In fact, doon sa video, maririnig ninyo na ini-implicate niya si President Duterte tunkol sa cocaine, sa drugs. Sa kanya galing yan,” Trillanes said.

According to Trillanes, Arcillas supposedly saw Duterte taste cocaine during a delivery shipment in a pier. She said she saw this while selling balut.

“Subalit ang sabi ng mga nagtse-check sa kanya eh kaduda-duda yung kanyang mga statements kaya hindi namin tinuloy at na-present,” Trillanes said.

“I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but basically, she didn’t pass the test,” he added.

Trillanes said Arcillas has a reputation of asking for money from different groups. He also said Arcillas had sought connections to get through to his office and that of Senator Leila de Lima.

Trillanes said he suspects that Arcillas is part of the “propaganda game” of Duterte’s camp.

“I’m beginning to think na baka ito ay tinatanim sa 'min kung kakagat kami tapos ilalabas namin tapos babaliktad later on,” Trillanes said.

“It’s a propaganda game that they’re playing but I’m going to burn them as I’m doing now,” he added.

The senator also demanded a public apology from Radyo Singko and radio broadcaster Erwin Tulfo over their “malicious” statements in connection with the issue.

“Sinuhulan ko daw, parang it was a judgment,” Trillanes said.

On Wednesday, Arcillas claimed that Trillanes, through his staff, offered P500,000 as initial downpayment to speak against Duterte. She said she was also promised another P500,000 after a case is filed against the President before the International Criminal Court. —KBK, GMA News