Trillanes: ICC probers, witnesses exposure part of ‘well-funded’ destab plot

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Friday said the exposure of International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators and witnesses was part of a “well-funded, well-planned destabilization plot” against the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Speaking at The Agenda Forum in Quezon City, Trillanes defended the complaints he filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 18 alleged former Marines and several personalities over allegations they spread involving ICC investigators.

“Marami pang personalities diyan (There are many personalities involved there). This is a well-funded, well-planned destabilization plot,” he said.

“Lahat sila, masasabi natin, galing sa Duterte camp (All of them, we can say, come from the Duterte camp),” he added.

He said he filed the complaint to make them face the consequences of what they did. 

He added he will be filing more complaints as his lawyers continue reviewing the statements made by those involved.

Intimidation of ICC witnesses

Trillanes scored the alleged former soldiers for revealing the identities of the ICC investigators and witnesses, saying such actions could endanger those cooperating with the court.

“Bakit n'yo ngayon iniexpose 'yung pangalan, itsura nila, tapos pati 'yung testigo, nilalagay nila sa kapahamakan (Why are you now exposing their names and faces and putting witnesses in danger)?” he said.

He further said such acts may constitute obstruction of justice under the Rome Statute.

Moreover, he said the ICC deputy prosecutor had also raised concerns that the exposure amounted to intimidation.

In a press conference Thursday, the alleged former Marines said their statements have nothing to do with politics. They also urged the public to listen them instead of maligning or pressuring them

They clarified some of their colleagues only saw Trillanes allegedly having a meeting with the ICC investigators while others said they supposedly delivered paper bags to the ex-legislator. This was because they have different duties.

Coordination with ICC since 2017

The former senator confirmed he has been coordinating with ICC investigators since 2017 when the complaint against the drug war of the Duterte administration was first filed.

“Inaamin ko ever since na nakikipag-ugnayan ako sa ICC since 2017 pa nung sinampa namin 'yung kaso doon (I admit that I have been coordinating with the ICC since 2017 when we filed the case there),” he said.

Trillanes noted that his role involved helping gather witnesses and documents.

“Pagkalap ng testigo, pagkalap ng iba't ibang dokumento at even pag-facilitate ng iba't ibang meeting (Gathering witnesses, gathering various documents, and even facilitating different meetings),” he said.

However, he said details of those activities could not be disclosed for security reasons and that ICC investigators shoulder their own expenses when conducting work related to the investigation.

“Maliwanag sa statement ng ICC na meron silang pondo… 'yung tickets, per diem, hotel, pagkain nila, lahat 'yan kini-clear din nila 'yan sa kanilang administrative offices,” he noted. 

(The ICC statement is clear that they have funds… their tickets, per diem, hotel accomodation, food — all of those are cleared through their administrative offices.)

Trillanes linked the ICC developments to political tensions between the Marcos and Duterte camps, claiming destabilization attempts began in 2023.

“Naka-ilang attempt ng ouster, ng destabilization ang kampo ni Duterte laban kay President Marcos (The Duterte camp had several ouster and destabilization attempts against President Marcos),” he added. 

He said the shift in political dynamics eventually changed the administration’s stance on cooperation with the ICC.

“From hindi kami magko-cooperate… nauwi tayo sa nung na-issue 'yung warrant, diniretsyo sa The Hague (From saying we would not cooperate… it eventually led to the warrant being enforced and Duterte being sent to The Hague),” he said.

Warning on Sara Duterte presidency

Trillanes also warned that a possible presidency of Vice President Sara Duterte could bring back policies and practices associated with the previous administration.

“I want everybody to imagine and visualize a Sara Duterte presidency,” he said. 

He claimed such a scenario could lead to the return of controversial policies.

“Kung ano 'yung naging sistema noon, pasok 'yung mga POGO, yung West Philippine Sea pababayaan sa China, papasok dito 'yung illegal na droga… tapos patayan muli 'yung media,” he noted. 

(What the system was before will return — POGOs coming in, the West Philippine Sea being left to China, illegal drugs entering the country… and media killings again.)

He also alleged journalists could once again face harassment.

“Iha-harass pag nagbigay ka ng negative na article. Ipe-pressure 'yung mga may-ari na sisantihin ka o patahimikin ka (You will be harassed if you publish a negative article. Media owners will be pressured to fire you or silence you),” he said.

Trillanes also questioned Duterte’s temperament, citing past remarks she made about political rivals.

“May anger management issue siya at the very least (She has anger management issues at the very least),” he said.

“Bottomline, she is unfit to hold public office,” he added.

He also criticized Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte for urging voters to support candidates similar to his father.

“Kung masokista ka siguro susundin mo 'yung advice niya (If you’re a masochist, you might follow his advice),” he said. 

“Hindi pwede 'yung markang Duterte ang piliin ng mga Pilipino kasi talagang hindi na magsu-survive ang ating demokrasya (Filipinos should not choose the Duterte brand because our democracy will not survive),” the former senator added. 

Sought for comment, Atty. Paolo Panelo, the Vice President's lawyer, said he does not believe Trillanes' statement.

"I'm just 42, yet I don't remember the last time I believed the words coming out of the former senator's mouth. Didn't his new friend Ombudsman Remulla just contradict him regarding their meetings with the ICC?" he said in a message to GMA News Online. —AOL, GMA Integrated News