Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes defies Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest order in stand-off
Trillanes tells police and military not to follow Duterte’s ‘illegal order’ for him to be arrested without a court warrant, saying his rebellion and coup cases were dismissed in 2011
Senator Antonio Trillanes told reporters after staying overnight in the Senate that his lawyers would file a petition to the Supreme Court to challenge the legality of Duterte’s proclamation voiding his amnesty for taking part in failed coup attempts years ago.
Amid the standoff, a small group of soldiers and policemen, including SWAT commandos, was seen outside the Senate.
Duterte also ordered the justice department and the military to pursue criminal and administrative complaints against Trillanes, a former navy officer.
“With our MPs (military police) and legal officer in the Senate, we are awaiting to acquire his custody for the purpose of returning him to military control and for him to face a court martial,” Defence Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong told reporters.
