Trillanes walks free
Thanks Aquino for amnesty process
SOURCE: INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) After more than seven years in jail, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV tasted freedom after the court granted him provisional liberty Monday afternoon and ordered his release from detention at the Camp Crame Custodial Center.
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Thanks Aquino for amnesty process
SOURCE: INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) After more than seven years in jail, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV tasted freedom after the court granted him provisional liberty Monday afternoon and ordered his release from detention at the Camp Crame Custodial Center.
Wearing a red shirt, the color of his Magdalo Group, Trillanes walked out of the facility at around 9:25 p.m. into a waiting car and just waved at reporters.
Chief Superintendent James Melad, deputy chief of the police Headquarters Support Service, confirmed that Trillanes was released to the custody of the Senate after Makati City Regional Trial Court Judge Oscar Pimentel granted the senator's request for provisional liberty.
Trillanes was released specifically to the custody of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
In a statement, Trillanes thanked President Benigno Aquino III for “making the amnesty possible.”
“I would like to express my gratitude once again to President Aquino and at those who made this amnesty possible,” the senator said.
“Likewise, I thank my family, friends and supporters who patiently stood by us through this long and difficult journey,” he said.
Supt. Cesar Magsino told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Judge Pimentel, which has been hearing Trillanes’ coup d’etat case, issued the release order late Monday afternoon.
Trillianes’ lawyer Rey Robles told the Inquirer that they filed a petition for provisional release with Pimentel’s court last Dec. 14, based on the amnesty proclamation of President Aquino. He said Pimentel, in issuing the release order, signified that the court was amenable to releasing Trillanes in the custody of the Senate.
“Maybe the judge found it appropriate to issue the release because of the amnesty and the fact that he is an elected senator,” Robles said.
He added that “it would just be a matter of time for his application for amnesty to be granted. These are just administrative issues. Anyway, the Senator has no intention to abscond because he was already granted amnesty.”
Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon, the lead prosecutor pursuing the coup d' etat case against Trillanes in connection with the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, said they no longer opposed Trillanes’ bid for provisional liberty.
“We did not oppose the same anymore in deference to the amnesty proclamation approved by both houses of Congress,” Fadullon said in a text message.
“This is also in keeping with the position adopted by the President. At the end of the day it is best to adopt the policy that would result to healing the wounds of the past than that which would result to further devisiveness. As public prosecutors we performed our mandate but we defer to the wisdom of the Chief Executive,” he added.
Earlier, the Senate and the House of Representatives approved resolutions concurring with the amnesty proclamation issued by President Aquino for soldiers who got involved in uprisings against his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Trillianes, who was tried for the Oakwood Mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula takeover, is among the junior officers and former soldiers envisioned to apply for the amnesty proclamation.
Under the guidelines of the amnesty, soldiers applying for amnesty must admit their participation in the uprisings.
“Finally, to our countrymen, be assured of our unwavering commitment to selflessly serve our country and people. May God bless us all,” Trillanes said at the end of his statement.
Chief Superintendent James Melad, deputy chief of the police Headquarters Support Service, confirmed that Trillanes was released to the custody of the Senate after Makati City Regional Trial Court Judge Oscar Pimentel granted the senator's request for provisional liberty.
Trillanes was released specifically to the custody of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
In a statement, Trillanes thanked President Benigno Aquino III for “making the amnesty possible.”
“I would like to express my gratitude once again to President Aquino and at those who made this amnesty possible,” the senator said.
“Likewise, I thank my family, friends and supporters who patiently stood by us through this long and difficult journey,” he said.
Supt. Cesar Magsino told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Judge Pimentel, which has been hearing Trillanes’ coup d’etat case, issued the release order late Monday afternoon.
Trillianes’ lawyer Rey Robles told the Inquirer that they filed a petition for provisional release with Pimentel’s court last Dec. 14, based on the amnesty proclamation of President Aquino. He said Pimentel, in issuing the release order, signified that the court was amenable to releasing Trillanes in the custody of the Senate.
“Maybe the judge found it appropriate to issue the release because of the amnesty and the fact that he is an elected senator,” Robles said.
He added that “it would just be a matter of time for his application for amnesty to be granted. These are just administrative issues. Anyway, the Senator has no intention to abscond because he was already granted amnesty.”
Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon, the lead prosecutor pursuing the coup d' etat case against Trillanes in connection with the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, said they no longer opposed Trillanes’ bid for provisional liberty.
“We did not oppose the same anymore in deference to the amnesty proclamation approved by both houses of Congress,” Fadullon said in a text message.
“This is also in keeping with the position adopted by the President. At the end of the day it is best to adopt the policy that would result to healing the wounds of the past than that which would result to further devisiveness. As public prosecutors we performed our mandate but we defer to the wisdom of the Chief Executive,” he added.
Earlier, the Senate and the House of Representatives approved resolutions concurring with the amnesty proclamation issued by President Aquino for soldiers who got involved in uprisings against his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Trillianes, who was tried for the Oakwood Mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula takeover, is among the junior officers and former soldiers envisioned to apply for the amnesty proclamation.
Under the guidelines of the amnesty, soldiers applying for amnesty must admit their participation in the uprisings.
“Finally, to our countrymen, be assured of our unwavering commitment to selflessly serve our country and people. May God bless us all,” Trillanes said at the end of his statement.
