Trillanes welcomes Paolo Duterte's filing of two more libel cases

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Sunday said he welcomes the filing of libel cases by Paolo "Polong" Duterte for his allegation linking President Rodrigo Duterte's son to the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu earlier this year.

"I welcome the filing of the libel case because it will be an opportunity to call Polong as a hostile witness, so he would be compelled to show his tattoo on his back to prove that he is a member of a Chinese triad drug syndicate," Trillanes said in a message sent to reporters.

"It would also be an opportunity for me to have his bank accounts subpoenaed," the senator said.

On Wednesday, Duterte filed two libel complaints before the Davao City Prosecutor's Office in connection with Trillanes' claims made in television and radio interviews as regards the illegal drugs that were later seized in a raid at a Valenzuela warehouse.

Earlier this month, Duterte and his brother-in-law Mans Carpio, husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, also filed separate libel complaints against Trillanes for claims that they extorted money from ride-sharing firm Uber and other firms.

Trillanes' lawyer Rey Robles said they will seek the dismissal of the libel complaints filed by Duterte and Carpio.

He said the Davao City Prosecutor's Office has no jurisdiction because the alleged libel was committed in Cebu. —KG, GMA News