Trillanes bares alleged ouster plot vs. Marcos

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday claimed that retired and active high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were involved in the recruitment of members in an ouster plot against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

In a media briefing, Trillanes claimed that PNP officials have been trying to recruit members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"Meron pong mga na-identify na active PNP officials, active and retired actually, PNP officials na sumasama dito sa destabilization efforts. Pero base sa impormasyon natin, na-identify na sila and mahirapan na sila gumalaw," he said.

(Some active PNP officials have been identified, active and retired actually, PNP officials who are involved in the destabilization efforts. But based on our information, they have been identified and they will have difficulty making moves.)

According to the former senator, no member of the AFP has joined the ouster plot so far.

Though Trillanes refused to directly state his sources, he said he had friends in the Army. When asked if his sources were in active service and in the right position to tell him such information, he answered, "yes."

Not for PNP

For their part, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said there are no active police officials involved in the plot.

"Wala po tayong na mo-monitor na sino man na aktibong pulis na involve allegedly diyan sa sinasabing destabilization plot. At wala po tayong na mo-monitor na destabilization plot for that matter a destabilization plot for that matter)," she said.

(We have not monitored any active police officer that is involved in the alleged destabilization plot. And we have not monitored any destabilization plot for that matter.)

Fajardo also called on Trillanes to "spare the PNP" in such issues, saying the agency is focused on its mandate.

'Goes without saying'

Meanwhile, asked who was behind the ouster plot, Trillanes said it was the "Duterte camp."

"Ano na 'yan, kumbaga, it goes without saying. Hindi naman gagalaw itong mga ito pagka walang imprimatur ni Duterte, 'yung tatay. And makikita natin doon sa kanyang mga public pronouncements. These are statements meant to agitate, to incite sedition and rebellion, at 'yun na 'yun," Trillanes said.

(It goes without saying. They would not move without Duterte's imprimatur. And we can see it in his public pronouncements. These are statements meant to agitate, to incite sedition and rebellion.)

Sought for comment, Duterte's former presidential spokesperson, Atty. Harry Roque said that the remarks were "hallucinations and hangover from his coup d'etat days."

Meanwhile, Trillanes further said that the ongoing motu proprio investigation of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on supposedly leaked confidential documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was part of the ploy.

The leaked documents had linked Marcos and others to illegal drugs, allegations that the President had laughed off.

"This is part of the ouster plot. Naghahanap sila ng mga kadahilanan para i-ignite, 'no, i-agitate 'yung taong bayan at hopefully, papasukin sila ng mga aktibong general o opisyal ng Armed Forces para matuloy 'yung kanilang pag power grab," he said.

(This is part of the ouster plot. They are looking for reasons to ignite, to agitate the people and they would hopefully be welcomed by active generals or members of the AFP so they can continue their power grab.)

However, he stressed that he is not insinuating that Dela Rosa himself is part of the ploy.

"I'm not saying that. I'm just saying, 'yung hearing itself, the way it's being conducted, part 'yun. Kasi alam niyo, nag senador naman tayo, nag-imbestiga rin ako, hindi po ganyan. Hindi ka magco-conduct ng motu proprio Senate investigation na hindi naman national emergency," he said.

(I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that the hearing itself, the way it's being conducted. Because you know, I was once a senator, I also held investigations, and it's not like this. You won't conduct a motu proprio Senate investigation without a national emergency.)

'Not even President Duterte'

For his part, Dela Rosa denied that Duterte was using him to investigate the leaked documents.

"I can never be used, I swear to God, nobody dictated me, not even President Duterte," Dela Rosa said, adding that, "Si President Duterte hindi tumawag sa akin, wala man lang ni-hao-niho para sa kaso na ito, para sa imbestigasyon na ito. Cross my heart, hope to die! Tamaan ako ng kidlat ngayon kung ako'y tinawagan ni President Duterte."

(President Duterte didn't call me. Not a word from him about this case, about this investigation. Cross my heart, hope to die! May lightning strike me now if I was called by President Duterte.)

Meanwhile, House Assistant Majority Leader Jeff Khonghun said that Trillanes' allegations were unfair for the law enforcement officials.

"Si Trillanes ay pambansang Maritess. It is unfair for the generals, police. Huwag na idamay ang mga importanteng sangay ng pamahalaan na nagpapatupad ng batas. Huwag na lang mag-Maritess kung wala namang ebidensiya," he said.

House Assistant Majority Leader Migs Nograles, meanwhile, said those seeking to impeach Marcos should file a case if they feel that they have enough grounds to do so.

"There's an impeachment process [for removing the President]. They are welcome to file if they feel they have enough grounds, but let us not make this a trial by publicity. We do not want destabilization. We want unity and peace," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News