EDITORIAL
Antonio Trillanes IV, a former senator who until lately has been unable to revive his political career, is again trying to hog the limelight by holding a press conference that reiterated his contention that members of the uniformed service have been cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to indict and/or arrest former President Rodrigo Duterte, and more.
This time around, Trillanes claimed that retired and active high-ranking police officers were recruiting other lawmen to join them in removing the Chief Executive from office.
The former senator, is saying in effect that a nascent destabilization plot is in the offing against the Bongbong Marcos administration, and this is being pushed by some active and retired officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Trillanes also said in his press conference that the group of destabilizers have not wormed their way into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yet.
As expected, this latest Trillanes caper was denied by the nationwide police organization.
“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,” Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the PNP, said at a press briefing at Camp Crame.
According to Fajardo, she already talked to PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and police intelligence units. All said they have also not monitored any plan to oust Marcos.
“PNP will remain apolitical, and we will always uphold our Constitution,” Fajardo said.
It may be recalled that last April, Trillanes also said that about 50 former and incumbent police officials had been asked by the International Criminal Court about their role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. The former senator said the policemen were being given a chance to air their side and if they fail to clear themselves, they could become suspects.
Duterte is being investigated by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the thousands of deaths that occurred during his campaign against illegal drugs. Marcos has reiterated that his administration does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines
Trillanes’ revelation prompted the PNP again to issue a denial, and for the security cluster in the Cabinet to issue a warning to all government personnel not to entertain any attempt by the ICC to push their investigation inside the country.
It is good that the PNP enjoys a high morale and the cops are not bothered by Trillanes’ stupidity. But one cop who showed annoyance was Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who was conducting a Senate inquiry into the problems at PDEA. Trillanes reportedly called Bato a destabilizer, which angered the former chief of the PNP.
This brings us to ask the question above: Why is Trillanes surfacing anew?
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