MANILA — The military will not act against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV unless an arrest warrant is issued by the courts.
“No warrant, no arrest,” epartment of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a message to reporters Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court (SC) denied Trillanes’ petition seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572, which declared the amnesty granted to him as void ab initio.
“Thus, there is no extreme and urgent necessity for the Court to issue an injunctive relief, considering that the respondents have acknowledged Senator Trillanes’ right to due process,” the SC said.
It also stressed that it is up to the trial courts to determine the facts of the cases against Trillanes.
“Hence, it is appropriate that the Makati RTCs (Regional Trial Courts) should be given leeway in exercising their concurrent jurisdiction to hear and resolve the pleadings/motions filed by the parties as regards the legality of Proclamation 572,” it added.
The DOJ has filed separate motions before Makati RTC Branches 148 and 150, asking that arrest warrants and hold departure orders (HDO) be issued against Trillanes.
Branch 148 is handling the coup d’etat case against Trillanes concerning the Oakwood mutiny, while Branch 150 is handling the rebellion case against the senator over the Manila Peninsula siege.
Branch 148 Judge Andres Soriano and Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda have set separate hearings on the DOJ’s motion on Thursday and Friday, respectively. ( Priam Nepomuceno / PNA )
