Trillanes, Bikoy face sedition raps for linking Duterte to drug trade

MANILA (UPDATE)- The Department of Justice filed a case of conspiracy to commit sedition against former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and 9 others for supposed libelous allegations linking President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade.

The complaint filed at the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court on Jan. 27 but made public only on Monday, alleged that Trillanes and others are involved in “circulating malicious and scurrilous libels,” “to inflict an act of hate" against President Duterte.

Also included in the case is Peter Advincula, the man who introduced himself as hooded figure "Bikoy" in the viral "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos that tagged President Duterte's family in the narcotics trade.

Accused along with Trillanes and Advincula are Joel Saracho, Boom Enriquez, Yolanda Ong, Vicente Romano III, Fr. Albert Alejo, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Jonnel Sangalang, Ediardo Acierto, and an alias Monique.

"Bikoy" previously claimed that he used to keep financial records for the drug syndicate that allegedly had dealings with the Duterte family.

He initially claimed that he was not paid by the opposition, only to flip-flop weeks later and later linked the Liberal Party and other figures to the viral videos.

Trillanes had said Advincula "embellished" real events to "concoct his version of the story."

• 'Concocted story': Trillanes belies Bikoy's claims

The videos made rounds on social media at the height of the May electoral campaign.