MANILA, Philippines — Si Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV ang nasa likod ng kumakalat na video na nagdadawit sa kanya sa kalakalan ng droga sa bansa, ayon kay dating Davao Vice Mayor Paolo "Pulong" Duterte.
Dahil dito, ibinabala niya sa opposition senator na sasampahan siya ng panibagong kaso dahil sa "patuloy na paninira" ng kanyang reputasyon.
"He may deny it, but the video supposedly showing my involvement in the illegal drug trade in the country has been clearly stamped with the indelible Trillanes signature of being a desperate mercenary, one who has done nothing good but attack the government," sabi niya sa isang paskil sa Facebook.
Dati nang sinampahan ng libelo ng presidential son si Trillanes dahil sa ilang media interviews ng senador.
Tumanggi naman siya na ipakita ang tato niya sa likod.
"Instead, I dare him and everyone behind the stupid and empty video exposé to back their claims against me," kanyang panapos.
Trillanes: Sana nga ako 'yun
Sa isang pahayag nitong Biyernes, sinabi ni Trillanes na wala siyang kinalaman sa nasabing video.
"First of all, let me congratulate the people behind the videos that linked the Duterte family to illegal drugs! The accusations of the witness were very serious, quite pointed and well-explained," ani Trillanes.
"Having said that, I really wish I was part of the making of the videos so I could relish these moments, but sadly I am not.
First of all, let me congratulate the people behind the videos that linked the Duterte family to illegal drugs! The accusations of the witness were very serious, quite pointed and well-explained.
— Sonny Trillanes IV (@TrillanesSonny) April 4, 2019
Having said that, I really wish I was part of the making of the videos so.... pic.twitter.com/rMF1HzYJNh
Hindi ito ang unang beses na naungkat ang diumano'y tato ng nakababatang Duterte.
Matatandaang pinaratangan na noon ni Trillanes si Paolo ng pagiging bahagi ng triad sa Senate hearing ng P6.4 bilyong halaga ng shabu na nasabat sa Pilipinas noong 2017.
Hinamon naman ni Sen. Leila de Lima si Paolo ngayong Biyernes na ipakita ang kanyang tato sa likod bilang patunay na walang kinalaman sa kalakalan ng droga sa bansa.
"He had a chance to do that during the Senate hearing when challenged by Sen. Trillanes. He blew it. Here’s another chance. If he has nothing to hide, Polong must go for it," sabi ni De Lima.
Mapatutunayan daw kasi ng dragon tattoo ni Pulong ang kuneksyon sa drug trafficking triad, ayon kay "Bikoy," na nagpakilalang dating miyembro ng sindikato, sa isang viral Youtube video.
Nauna nang pinabulaanan na ni Paolo ang video at sinabing gawa-gawa lang ito ng isang "J.S." na nagtatangka raw na magpuslit ng asukal at bigas sa Pilipinas.
"There’s just one easy thing to do on the part of Paolo Duterte to put closure to this lingering issue about his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. Show his back. Does he have a tattoo or not? If so, what tattoo? Simple!" sabi ni De Lima sa kanyang ika-500 dispatch mula Camp Crame.
Ayon kay Bikoy, nakakuha ang presidential son ng P25 milyon at P20 milyon sa apat na batches sa pamamagitan ng mga bank account na pinangalanang "CARPIOREYESWALDO" at "CARPIOWALDO."
"Is that too much to ask? Aren’t tattoos meant to be shown or displayed?" dagdag ng senadora.
Kasalukuyang nakapiit si De Lima matapos pagbintangang may kinalaman sa pagkalat ng droga sa New Bilibid Prison habang siya pa ang kalihim ng Department of Justice.