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By NITZ ARANCON
and JOEY NACALABAN
Correspondents .

THE president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines here questioned the Duterte administration’s moves against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV following the official’s arrest yesterday, saying it was beginning to look like the government was focusing only on the legislator.

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The Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 issued an arrest warrant and hold-departure order against the senator in connection with a rebellion case. Trillanes quickly bailed out and returned to the Senate where he has sought refuge for weeks now.

On national TV, Trillanes said, “Democracy was defeated today.”

He called the arrest warrant “unjust,” adding that “our petitions were intended to test” if the judicial system was still working as it should.

“Officially, we no longer have democracy,” said Trillanes, adding that his legal woes were Malacañang’s “pressure tactics.”

IBP chapter president Eddie Cuaresma said Trillanes was apparently being subjected to harassment for being a critic of the Duterte administration.

Cuaresma said the issue against Trillanes is that he supposedly failed to comply the requirements for an amnesty “but nevertheles, it is still not good.” He said Trillanes had other companions during their rebellion against the Arroyo administration years ago yet he was being singled out now by Malacañang.

“This is harassment is it because Trillanes is the No. 1 critic of the President,” he said.

Another lawyer, James Judith, cautioned President Duterte against making a “martyr” out of Trillanes.

“Legally, it sets a dangerous precedent. Politically, President Rudy Duterte should leave Trillanes… I know he is a pesky opposition. Whether you like him or not for his notoriery in pestering the president and his family, that is part of the dynamics of democracy,” said Judith.

He cited the adage, “I may not agree with what you say but I will defend  to the death your every right to say it.”

Like Cuaresma, Judith said questioned why Trillanes was being singled out when there were other mutineers with him who were subsequently granted amnesty.

Judith said Trillanes’s arrest served as a “bad sign.”

“Let us not make a martyr out of the guy. He doesn’t deserve it,” Judith said.

Lawyer Antonio Soriano, a former vice mayor, called for “respect” for the rule of law. He called Trillanes as Malacañang’s “favorite” now.

Activists in the city thumbed down the arrest warrant served to Trillanes yesterday afternoon.

“President Duterte is a very dangerous man. He will do everything to silence the opposition,” said lawyer and activist Czarina Musni.

Jerry Orcullo, president of the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda) here, called for “due process” for Trillanes.

Vennel Chenfoo, coordinator of the youth group Kabataan in northern  Mindanao, said it has become clear to his group that Trillanes was feeling the heat because of his being a Duterte critic.

He said the moves to put Trillanes behind bars are sending a chilling message to other critics and members of progressive organizations.

“Kaya gani ni ang pagpadakop sa senador, unsa pa kaha kadtong mga ordinaryong nga tawo,” said Chenfoo, adding that the senator was being subjected to “political persecution,” and that Duterte administration officials were “abusing their powers.”  

“Atakehon gani ang senator, ang yanong katawhan pa kaha. Pero angay mubarog,” he said.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Felixberto Calang said he hoped the government was motivated by a desire to prosecute Trillanes over his participation in the so-called Oakwood mutiny during the Arroyo administration, and not to get back at him for being a Duterte critic.

“Mawala man gud ang objective kon ang pagdakop ni Trillanes na-ay sagol politika,” Calang said.

Calang also called on the Duterte administration to seek and fight for justice with proper means, and not use influence.

Councilor Romeo Calizo said the arrest warrant was “good” for Trillanes so he could properly answer the Duterte administration’s assertions that he was granted amnesty despite non-compliance to requirements set by law.

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