(Eagle News) — Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday, Sept. 18, said the conviction of retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan and his two co-accused in the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students should “serve as a lesson” to security forces.
“Binigyan sila ng kapangyarihan para proteksyunan ‘yung mga citizens ng ating bansa at habulin ang mga dapat habulin—‘yung mga enemies of the state so hindi natin ito dapat abusuhin,” he said.
He said there would come a time “na yung mga nag-utos sa kanila ay wala na sa puwesto at hindi sila kayang proteksyunan.”
Palparan, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt Edgardo Osorio were found guilty of kidnapping and serious illegal detention by the Malolos Regional Trial Court on Monday, Sept. 17.
Trillanes has been holed up in the Senate since the first week of September, following news the amnesty granted to him for the Oakwood mutiny and the Peninsula Manila siege in 2003 and 2007, respectively, had been declared void ab initio.
Trillanes had said he would leave the Senate, but changed his mind after claiming several motorcycle-riding men tailed his vehicle that had supposedly gone out of the Senate only to refuel.
On Tuesday, Sept. 18, Trillanes released footage he said proved his house was under surveillance.
The Palace has dismissed Trillanes’ allegations.
““OA po yan. Uwi na kayo dahil hindi naman tama na taong bayan ho ang nagbabayad ng inyong board and lodging dyan sa senado,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had said.
He also accused Trillanes of appearing to be paranoid following the senator’s latest claim he was being monitored.
