Trillanes ready for possible arrest, arranged for 'protocols'
Published Sep 7, 2018 01:45 pm
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said he has prepared for his possible arrest since the voiding of his amnesty.
Amid rumors that he would be taken into custody while the Senate is not in session, Trillanes, in a press briefing Friday, admitted that he has packed his things should he be ordered arrested by the court.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV talks to the members of the press during a media conference at Senate on Wednesday. (Jansen Romero/ MANILA BULLETIN)
"Meron nang ganoon, kailangan 'yon (I already have it. It's a must)," Trillanes said when asked if he has prepared his things.
Trillanes added "protocols" are already in place in the event that arresting officers would go to the Senate to fetch him. According to him, this would mean his lawyers should be present and that the Senate leadership should be consulted first on how to go about his impending arrest.
Trillanes said his family has likewise prepared for his possible arrest.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, we've had worse experiences before that, (and) in a way, it prepared them for these things. Ayaw naman nating ma-expose o madamay pero talagang doon dinadala so kailangan malakas . So that's what they're doing," he said.
The embattled senator, however, clarified that such "level of preparedness" has been consistent since the issuance of President Duterte's Proclamation No. 572, which nullified his amnesty.
He said he has been hearing reports since Tuesday that he will be jailed despite the absence of an arrest warrant.
Trillanes has repeatedly said he is not afraid to be sent to jail again, having served seven years for leading the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.
Although he is challenging Duterte's order in the Supreme Court, Trillanes on Friday reassured that there will be no stand-off if the court issues a warrant for his apprehension.
"I would be the last person who would want anybody to get hurt. I should be the first one to get hurt. I will guarantee that the process will be proper," he told reporters in Filipino.
"Personally, I believe it will not go to that point," he added.
Arrest in Senate?
Meanwhile, the Senate implemented tighter security measures following rumors of Trillanes' possible arrest. Even members of Senate-accredited media were asked to register in the visitors' logbook before being allowed to proceed inside the Senate building.
But Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia, in a television interview, said there had been no information or coordination with authorities on the supposed arrest. He reiterated the order of Senate President Vicente Sotto III that there shall be no arrest inside the Senate.
Despite the assurance, supporters of Trillanes from civil society groups continued to arrive at the Senate to prevent the illegal arrest of Trillanes.
"I thank them for their show of concern," Trillanes said.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV talks to the members of the press during a media conference at Senate on Wednesday. (Jansen Romero/ MANILA BULLETIN)
"Meron nang ganoon, kailangan 'yon (I already have it. It's a must)," Trillanes said when asked if he has prepared his things.
Trillanes added "protocols" are already in place in the event that arresting officers would go to the Senate to fetch him. According to him, this would mean his lawyers should be present and that the Senate leadership should be consulted first on how to go about his impending arrest.
Trillanes said his family has likewise prepared for his possible arrest.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, we've had worse experiences before that, (and) in a way, it prepared them for these things. Ayaw naman nating ma-expose o madamay pero talagang doon dinadala so kailangan malakas . So that's what they're doing," he said.
The embattled senator, however, clarified that such "level of preparedness" has been consistent since the issuance of President Duterte's Proclamation No. 572, which nullified his amnesty.
He said he has been hearing reports since Tuesday that he will be jailed despite the absence of an arrest warrant.
Trillanes has repeatedly said he is not afraid to be sent to jail again, having served seven years for leading the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.
Although he is challenging Duterte's order in the Supreme Court, Trillanes on Friday reassured that there will be no stand-off if the court issues a warrant for his apprehension.
"I would be the last person who would want anybody to get hurt. I should be the first one to get hurt. I will guarantee that the process will be proper," he told reporters in Filipino.
"Personally, I believe it will not go to that point," he added.
Arrest in Senate?
Meanwhile, the Senate implemented tighter security measures following rumors of Trillanes' possible arrest. Even members of Senate-accredited media were asked to register in the visitors' logbook before being allowed to proceed inside the Senate building.
But Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia, in a television interview, said there had been no information or coordination with authorities on the supposed arrest. He reiterated the order of Senate President Vicente Sotto III that there shall be no arrest inside the Senate.
Despite the assurance, supporters of Trillanes from civil society groups continued to arrive at the Senate to prevent the illegal arrest of Trillanes.
"I thank them for their show of concern," Trillanes said.