MANILA, Philippines — The police stressed that it would only be implementing orders of judicial authorities in relation to the case of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier nullified the amnesty granted to Trillanes and ordered the military and the police to arrest the senator in connection to charges against him over coup attempts against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
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The Philippine National Police, however, said that it has not yet received any warrant of arrest against the senator.
"We will implement the order the moment we receive it," PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said.
Durana clarified that Criminal Investigation and Detection Group personnel were only deployed to the Senate to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines to "help ensure that actions are conducted following legal procedures."
"It is also to preposition our law enforcers to ensure that, if and when WOA is issued, it will be served in an efficient and dignified manner befitting the stature of the good Senator," Durana said.
Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) has appealed to the military and the police not to follow illegal orders, claiming that Duterte's proclamation has no basis.
The lawmaker pointed out that there is no warrant of arrest and there are no charges against Trillanes.
In response to Alejano's remarks, Durana said the PNP does not need to be told on what to do about the possible arrest of Trillanes.
“Number one, it’s his opinion. Number two, we don’t need to be told,” Durana said in a press briefing.
Senate President Tito Sotto has placed Trillanes under custody to prevent his arrest.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said that police forces should not arrest Trillanes without a court-issued warrant.
“The police have to wait for the warrant,” Guevarra said.