Trillanes on Roque after taking on Palace job: ‘Parang nasapian ng masamang espirito’

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday hit incoming presidential spokesperson Harry Roque over the latter’s recent remarks to President Rodrigo Duterte’s critics.

“Ito si Cong. Roque, nasama lang kay Duterte, bigla na lang parang nasapian ng masamang espirito,” Trillanes said in a text message to GMA News Online.

Trillanes’ statement was in response to Roque’s remark warning critics of Duterte that he would not take their vilification campaign against the chief executive sitting down.

Trillanes is one of Duterte’s staunchest critics.

Roque had warned Duterte’s detractors that he was ready to counter with adobe bricks and hollow blocks if they would throw stones at the President.

“At binibigyan ko na po ng notice ang mga walang hiya diyan na naninira lamang. Kung dati-rati hindi kayo nababato, ngayon po maghanda na kayo, dahil kapag kayo ay nambato, hindi lang po bato ang itatapon ko sa inyo, hollow blocks,” Roque said.

GMA News Online has sought the comment of Roque to Trillanes’ comment but has yet to respond as of posting time.

But in a Balitanghali report, Roque explained his “threat” against the President’s critics.

“I was speaking to Mocha Uson’s audience, which is different from the audience of this body. I’m talking about individuals who have made it a hobby to lambast the administration,” Roque said.

“I’m not just a spokesperson, but I’m a trained litigator. If I have to, I will defend [the President] with very much passion,” he added.

Duterte announced the appointment of Roque, incumbent Kabayan party-list representative, on October 28. Roque is set to assume his post on November 6.

Roque replaces outgoing presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

“It is clear that the President has very sure instincts and that PS Roque meets his expectations,” Abella earlier said. — RSJ, GMA News