DND, AFP to defer to court on Trillanes issue

Andolong’s statement was echoed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo on Friday. (PNA file photo)

MANILA — The defense department’s spokesperson said Friday they will leave it to the courts to decide on the case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, whose amnesty was voided by Proclamation 572 early this week.

“The Department of National Defense (DND) has received a report that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has filed a petition for Certiorari, Prohibition and Injunction with a prayer for the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order,” Arsenio Andolong said.

He added that the department respects the judicial process and will defer to the decision of the court on the matter.

Andolong’s statement was echoed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo on Friday.

“The AFP is mindful that Senator Trillanes IV has already filed his petition before the Supreme Court. We will defer commenting on the merits of the case in deference to the sub judice rule,” he added.

And as an institution, Arevalo said the AFP is united and committed to the chain of command and the rule of law.

“The AFP is in the process of constituting the General Court Martial in compliance with the mandated task under Presidential Proclamation 572,” he added.

Based on President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572, which was signed last Aug. 31, Trillanes has no pending application for amnesty granted to all active and former personnel of the AFP and supporters who joined the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, the February 2006 Marines stand-off, and the Nov.

29, 2007 Manila Peninsula incident.

This in effect voided the amnesty extended to him by former president Benigno S. Aquino III through Proclamation 75 issued in November 2010.