Antonio Trillanes IV faces grave threat rap

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is up for arraignment in the grave threat case filed against him before a Pasay court for allegedly threatening to kill Labor Undersecretary Jacinto Paras.

In a Dec. 14, 2018 order obtained by reporters yesterday, Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 47 Judge Joeven Dellosa ordered Trillanes’ arraignment on Feb. 15.

City prosecutor Reynaldo Ticyado filed the case against the senator on Nov. 29, 2018.

Paras, in the complaint filed in June last year, said he and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III attended a hearing of the Senate’s oversight committee on overseas Filipino workers on May 29, 2018 when Trillanes made the threat.

“Ang lakas ng loob mo. Hindi magtatagal ang amo mo. Matatapos din yan. Yayariin kita. Mercenaryo ka. Yayariin kita (You’re gutsy. Your master won’t last. That will end. I will finish you. You’re a mercenary. I will finish you),” the charge sheet quoted Trillanes as saying.

Paras also alleged that Trillanes said, “Tatawa-tawa ka pa. May araw ka din. Yayariin kita (Go on, laugh. Your time will come. I will finish you).”

“Suwerte mo… mabait itong… secretary kundi yayariin kita (You’re lucky. This secretary is nice or I will finish you),” Trillanes reportedly also said.

Trillanes’ alleged statements created “fear and anxiety in the mind of (Paras) that the threats will be carried out,” according to the charge sheet.

‘Twisted’

Trillanes was unfazed by the latest criminal charges filed against him.

In a statement, the senator said President Duterte “twisted” the justice system in the country with the charges filed by Paras.

“He’s (Duterte) the one killing ordinary Filipinos, asking soldiers to rape women, asking that auditors of the COA (Commission on Audit) be kidnapped and tortured, bishops to be held up, and now I’m the one he asked his minions to be charged with grave threats? Insane,” Trillanes said.

“Like all the other harassment cases filed against me, I will face this squarely,” he added.

Paras and lawyer Manuelito Luna filed charges of inciting to sedition and conspiracy to commit coup d’etat before the Pasay prosecutor’s office.

The senator is also facing a libel case – filed by Duterte’s son, former Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte, and son-in-law Manases Carpio – before a Davao court.

A Makati court earlier upheld its issuance of a warrant for Trillanes’ arrest over a revived rebellion case in connection with his involvement in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. – With Paolo Romero