Trillanes admits priests brought 'Bikoy' in Aug 2018; says Bikoy failed vetting | ABS-CBN
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Trillanes admits priests brought 'Bikoy' in Aug 2018; says Bikoy failed vetting
Trillanes admits priests brought 'Bikoy' in Aug 2018; says Bikoy failed vetting
ABS-CBN News
Published May 27, 2019 04:32 PM PHT
MANILA - Opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV admitted Monday he was approached by Peter Joemel Advincula about the alleged drug links of the Duterte family last year but that Advincula failed a vetting process so that he could be used as a witness in a Senate inquiry.
MANILA - Opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV admitted Monday he was approached by Peter Joemel Advincula about the alleged drug links of the Duterte family last year but that Advincula failed a vetting process so that he could be used as a witness in a Senate inquiry.
In a privilege speech in the Senate, Trillanes said a group of priests told him last August about Advincula who apparently sought sanctuary due to alleged threats to his life.
In a privilege speech in the Senate, Trillanes said a group of priests told him last August about Advincula who apparently sought sanctuary due to alleged threats to his life.
He said he listened to Advincula's story but rejected him as a witness since certain details were missing.
He said he listened to Advincula's story but rejected him as a witness since certain details were missing.
"Unang inilapit sa akin si Bikoy ng mga pari noong August last year. Ayon sa kanila, ito raw si Bikoy ay humingi sa kanila ng sanctuary dahil siya raw ay papatayin ng mga taga-sindikato na involved sa illegal drugs. Pinakinggan ko siya subalit nakulangan ako at naguluhan sa mga detalye kaya isinantabi ko at tuluyan nang kinalimutan ang usapang ito," he said.
"Unang inilapit sa akin si Bikoy ng mga pari noong August last year. Ayon sa kanila, ito raw si Bikoy ay humingi sa kanila ng sanctuary dahil siya raw ay papatayin ng mga taga-sindikato na involved sa illegal drugs. Pinakinggan ko siya subalit nakulangan ako at naguluhan sa mga detalye kaya isinantabi ko at tuluyan nang kinalimutan ang usapang ito," he said.
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"The fact na hindi ko siya inilabas dito ibig sabihin hindi siya nakapasa sa aming vetting process at lalong hindi ko siya kinupkop...Sa awa ng Diyos, hindi pa ako nasusunog sa mga nilabas ko," he said.
"The fact na hindi ko siya inilabas dito ibig sabihin hindi siya nakapasa sa aming vetting process at lalong hindi ko siya kinupkop...Sa awa ng Diyos, hindi pa ako nasusunog sa mga nilabas ko," he said.
He also pointed out that he was in the news the entire month of September 2018 after President Duterte revoked the grant of amnesty for him and a Makati court issued a warrant for his arrest.
He also pointed out that he was in the news the entire month of September 2018 after President Duterte revoked the grant of amnesty for him and a Makati court issued a warrant for his arrest.
In February 2019, the same group of priests again approached the senator - this time bearing documents on alleged bank accounts of the leaders of narcotics syndicates. The priests, he said, claimed the documents came from 2 of Advincula's accomplices.
In February 2019, the same group of priests again approached the senator - this time bearing documents on alleged bank accounts of the leaders of narcotics syndicates. The priests, he said, claimed the documents came from 2 of Advincula's accomplices.
In the same month, several priests said they were receiving death threats from unknown individuals.
In the same month, several priests said they were receiving death threats from unknown individuals.
Trillanes said he asked investigative journalists, media outfits and several local and foreign entities to check the veracity of the details but was told the validation process "might take a while."
Trillanes said he asked investigative journalists, media outfits and several local and foreign entities to check the veracity of the details but was told the validation process "might take a while."
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He said he told the priests to wait for the results of the verification process when the series of Ang Totoong Narco-list videos started coming out on YouTube. At that time, Trillanes was out of the country.
He said he told the priests to wait for the results of the verification process when the series of Ang Totoong Narco-list videos started coming out on YouTube. At that time, Trillanes was out of the country.
"Uulitin ko, wala akong kinalaman sa paglabas ng mga videos na 'yun. To my PMA upperclassmen here, alright, sir," he said.
"Uulitin ko, wala akong kinalaman sa paglabas ng mga videos na 'yun. To my PMA upperclassmen here, alright, sir," he said.
When Advincula surfaced last May 6, Trillanes said he asked fellow opposition senators to hold off issuing a resolution to investigate Advincula's claims because he still had reservations.
When Advincula surfaced last May 6, Trillanes said he asked fellow opposition senators to hold off issuing a resolution to investigate Advincula's claims because he still had reservations.
He said Advincula's press conference last May 23 linking him and the Liberal Party to the Ang Totoong Narco-list videos was the same ploy used by another potential "witness", Guillermina Arcillas, in 2017.
He said Advincula's press conference last May 23 linking him and the Liberal Party to the Ang Totoong Narco-list videos was the same ploy used by another potential "witness", Guillermina Arcillas, in 2017.
Arcillas earlier said in a press conference she was being bribed by Trillanes to testify against President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court.
Arcillas earlier said in a press conference she was being bribed by Trillanes to testify against President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court.
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Trillanes, however, said it was Arcillas who first approached him through the help of a priest and claimed she had information that a member of the Duterte family was personally inspecting the arrival of cocaine shipments in Davao City.
Trillanes, however, said it was Arcillas who first approached him through the help of a priest and claimed she had information that a member of the Duterte family was personally inspecting the arrival of cocaine shipments in Davao City.
The senator also showed a video of Arcillas talking about her claims, which he submitted to the Senate.
The senator also showed a video of Arcillas talking about her claims, which he submitted to the Senate.
Trillanes said Advincula had "lost all value and credibility as a witness" after flip-flopping on his claims.
Trillanes said Advincula had "lost all value and credibility as a witness" after flip-flopping on his claims.
He also said he cannot blame the priests who gave Advincula sanctuary after he claimed that he was in danger.
He also said he cannot blame the priests who gave Advincula sanctuary after he claimed that he was in danger.
"As shepherds of Christ, that is their ministry. Hindi lang nila ine-expect na meron pa ring tao na susuklian ang kanilang kabutihan ng isang kataksilan," he said.
"As shepherds of Christ, that is their ministry. Hindi lang nila ine-expect na meron pa ring tao na susuklian ang kanilang kabutihan ng isang kataksilan," he said.
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Advincula left police custody last Saturday after posting bail for his estafa cases. Police said there is no pending warrant of arrest for Advincula.
Advincula left police custody last Saturday after posting bail for his estafa cases. Police said there is no pending warrant of arrest for Advincula.
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