Davao RTC orders Trillanes arrested for libel rap filed by Paolo Duterte

A Davao court has ordered Senator Antonio Trillanes IV arrested for libel, a bailable offense.

Judge Melinda Alconcel-Dayanghirang of the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 54 on Friday fixed bail for the senator at P24,000.

The warrant names former Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte, the president's son, as complainant in the libel case.

Paolo has filed libel complaints against Trillanes over the opposition senator's allegations linking him to the smuggling of billions worth of shabu and to extortion from ride-sharing firm Uber and other firms.

It was not immediately clear which of the libel complaints have been elevated to the courts and is the subject of the Davao judge's warrant of arrest.

In a statement, Trillanes said he will face the arrest warrant and post bail before the appropriate court on Monday, December 10.

Out on bail for a revived rebellion case, Trillanes has recently been allowed to travel to Europe and the United States so he could attend speaking engagements and "various activities."

The Makati judge that ordered the senator arrested for previously dismissed rebellion charges temporarily lifted a hold departure order, fixed a travel bond of P200,000, and has reportedly denied the government's appeal against the permission to travel.

The Department of Justice has requested other courts where Trillanes faces pending cases to bar the staunch administration critic from travelling overseas.—NB, LDF, GMA News