| Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV | |
|---|---|
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2007 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 6, 1971 Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Independent (2007–present) United Opposition (2007) |
| Spouse(s) | Arlene G. Orejana |
| Children | Francis Seth Trillanes Thea Estelle Trillanes |
| Residence | Caloocan City |
| Alma mater | Philippine Military Academy University of the Philippines |
| Profession | Soldier |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Website | Official Website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Republic of the Philippines |
| Service/branch | Philippine Navy |
| Years of service | 1991-2007 |
| Rank | Navy |
| Unit | Lieutenant Senior Grade |
| Battles/wars | Insurgency in the Philippines |
Antonio "Sonny" Fuentes Trillanes IV (born August 6, 1971, Manila) is a former[1] Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade and concurrently serving as a senator of the Philippines since 2007.
He is best known for leading the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny when he and a group of 321 soldiers took control over the Oakwood towers in Makati City as protest for alleged rampant corruption in the Philippine government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in particular. He was detained after the mutiny was quelled.
In the Senate election held in May 2007, Trillanes was elected to the Senate as guest candidate for the anti-government Genuine Opposition ticket, and assumed office on June 30, 2007. He is the first Philippine Senator to be elected while in jail.
On November 29, 2007, he abandoned his own trial and triggered a standoff at the Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City, where he called for the ouster of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.[2]
On December 20, 2010, he was given provisional freedom pending the recognition of the court's amnesty declaration of president Benigno Aquino III.[3]
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Known as “Sonny” to his family and friends, Trillanes was born and raised in Caloocan City, to Phil. Navy Capt. Antonio Floranza Trillanes Sr. (PMA Class '59) of Ligao City, Albay, and Estelita (née Fuentes) from Capiz. Trillanes' other siblings are: Antonia; Antonio Jr.; Juan Antonio ("Jay"); Antonio III ("Tiny"); and Dominic.
Trillanes is married to Arlene G. Orejana, a member of the Philippine Military Academy corps of professors - a PMA Class 1997 graduate herself - and together they have had three children: Francis Seth; Thea Estelle; and Alan Andrew (who succumbed to illness at 21 days old).
His elementary years were spent at Siena College in Quezon City from 1975–1983, and from 1983–1987, his secondary education was at Angelicum School in Quezon City. In 1990, while a third year BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering|ECE] student from Dela Salle University in Taft, he took and passed the [PMA] entrance examination. He formally entered into public service the following year as a cadet in the Philippine Military Academy where he graduated cum laude in 1995, while earning a degree in BS Naval System Engineering. Other awards he received while in PMA are the Mathematics Plaque, Physical Science Plaque, and the Tambuli Award for electrical/electronics engineering.
In 2002, Trillanes took up his graduate studies at the University of the Philippines Open University – Diliman, and got his masters degree in Public Administration, Major in Public Policy and Program Management.
Trillanes filed his certificate of candidacy on February 7, 2007, to run as an independent Senator even though he was detained for coup d'etat. Later, he accepted an invitation from the Genuine Opposition party (GO) as one of its guest candidates to field against the Arroyo administration. He campaigned, though in jail, through the social networking site, Friendster. He was eventually proclaimed Senator-elect on June 15, 2007 by the Commission on Elections.
On July 23, 2007, Trillanes' motion for an "arrangement" with the Makati RTC that would allow him to fulfill his duties as a Senator while under detention, and to allow him to attend the SONA, remained unacted upon. A week after, Judge Oscar Pimentel denied Trillanes's plea to be granted leave from detention to attend Senate sessions, and to set up an office inside Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City where he had been detained.[4] In response to Trillanes' continued imprisonment despite his election as Senator, former University of the Philippines president Francisco Nemenzo, Jr. and former vice president Teofisto Guingona, Jr. of civil society launched the "Paglingkurin si Trillanes [Let Trillanes Serve] Movement" in Pasay City on August 23, 2007. Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros, Ana Maria Nemenzo of the Freedom from Debt Coalition, opposition leader Jose Alcuaz, and Trillanes' spokesperson Sonny Rivera, were present.[5]
Notwithstanding calls from civil society groups to allow Trillanes to serve as Senator pursuant to his election, Judge Oscar Pimentel denied Trillanes's petition to attend Senate sessions on September 20, 2007, for lack of merit, ruling that his incarceration would not be a bar to fulfilling his duties as a Senator.[6] His petition, having been denied by the lower court, Senator Trillanes filed a petition with the Supreme Court of the Philippines, asking that his petition to be allowed to attend Senate sessions be granted. Representing him was his lawyer Reynaldo Robles. Included in said petition was a request that he be allowed to receive visitors in his jail at Fort Bonifacio.[7]
On October 17, 2007, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in an en banc resolution, directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Oscar Pimentel to comment within 10 days on Senator Antonio Trillanes IV's petition.[8] These requests were however later overshadowed by Trillanes' decision to stage another action against Gloria Arroyo's administration. On November 29, 2007, the senator led another uprising, this time at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati. After walking out of his court hearing, he and Brigadier General Danilo Lim led their supporters to the hotel where they staged their protest against the government, calling on the public to join them. Six hours later, after military teams surrounded the hotel and armored personnel carriers broke through the hotel's front doors, Senator Trillanes and his companions surrendered.
At present, PresidentBenigno Aquino III gave Trillanes provisional liberty while awaiting the court's recognition of the Amnesty Proclamation for the Magdalo soldiers. He was able for the first time to enter the Senate and perform his duties as a duly elected Senator.
On the morning of November 29, 2007, Trillanes, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Capt. Nicanor Faeldon and other Magdalo (mutineers) officials walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati City, calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. They then had a meeting on the second floor of The Peninsula Manila Hotel along Ayala Avenue. Former vice-president Teofisto Guingona joined the march to the Manila Peninsula Hotel, as well as some soldiers from the AFP.
3 P.M. Deadline
Thirty soldiers who stood on trial for the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny walked out of court and set up a meeting at The Peninsula Manila Hotel, where they called for the ouster of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. They had been joined by former vice-president Teofisto Guingona, who called the gathering a "New Edsa".
Arroyo called for an emergency Cabinet meeting as she took a chopper back to the Palace amid tight security. Novaliches Catholic Bishop Antonio Tobias, Infanta Bishop Emeritus Julio Labayen, and Fr. Robert Reyes joined the Antonio Trillanes IV group, while Exec. Sec. Eduardo Ermita and Ignacio Bunye rushed back to Malacañang. PSG sealed off the Palace, while troops secured the north and south Luzon expressways.
A website forthwith appeared, proclaiming General Lim and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as the leaders of the incident.[9] The website entry read: "Senator Antonio Trillanes, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Magdalo soldiers, their guards and the people have started marching towards Makati triangle. We presently find in existence a dangerous concept where the armed forces now owe their primary allegiance and loyalty to those who temporarily exercise the authority of the executive branch of the government rather than to the country and the Constitution they have sworn to protect. That is a concept we defy and struggle to eradicate. If you believe you are a man of will and courage with unselfish motives and brave enough to fight against such tyranny, rise up and be counted!"[10]
The Philippine National Police (PNP) gave Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim until 3 p.m. to surrender, as it evacuated guests and personnel inside the Manila Peninsula Hotel.[11]
The PNP general also ordered later the evacuation of the press in the hotel. Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, stated, "We make this fateful step of removing Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo from the presidency and undertake the formation of a new government."[12]
Security forces were scheduled the Manila Peninsula in Makati City at exactly 3 p.m. to arrest rebel soldiers. Judge Oscar Pimentel, Makati Regional Trial Court, issued the arrest order, and Director Geary Barias, National Capital Region Police Office director, stated: "Arrests will be made at 3 p.m."[13]
After 3 p.m., police director Geary Barias of the National Capital Region Police Office left The Peninsula Manila Hotel, since he was asked to leave by troops supportive of Trillanes. A defiant Antonio Trillanes IV dismissed the PNP 3 p.m. deadline, saying, "Believe me, nothing will happen after three o'clock."[14]
At least 50 Special Weapons and Tactics commandos lined up outside to assault the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City to enforce the arrest of rebel soldiers. Sporadic warning shots were heard from the police outside the hotel, as smoke was seen coming from the hotel seconds after the shots. (4:01 p.m.) The Palace asked reporters to move out of the hotel, as armored personnel carriers arrived. Hundreds of guests scrambled to vacate, and Trillanes said they will 'wait and see'[?] Bishop Julio Labayen appealed: "Please do not storm the place, so nobody gets hurt." (4:37 p.m.)
Firing stopped at 4:30 p.m.[15][16] GMA crew, and other media personnel were trapped in the hotel, while the Palace appealed to the media and the public to stay away from Makati. Tear gas was fired into the hotel lobby as government troops advanced. Soldiers surrounded the hotel at 5 p.m.).[17]
The armored tank then destroyed the main facade of the Manila Peninsula Hotel to allow the troops to enter.
Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who had just arrived from Guam, stated that he would not head a caretaker government if President Arroyo was removed from power, for he wants to insulate the judiciary from politics. Prominent businessmen denounced Trillanes and Lim.
The United States, through a statement from the U.S. embassy, reiterated its support for the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: "The United States and the Philippines are long-time democratic allies, and the US Embassy wishes to take this opportunity to reiterate our government's support for the rule of law, constitutional order, and the government of the Philippines. [US] Ambassador Kristie Kenney had "spoken" with officials at Malacañang Palace to reiterate her country's confidence that the incident is swiftly and peacefully resolved by the Philippine National Police, supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in accordance with Philippine law."[18]
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier General Danilo Lim decided to compromise to arresting authorities to avoid loss of civilian lives inside the hotel.[19] Police Director Geary Barias declared that the standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel was over as Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, along with other junior officers, agreed to leave the hotel and surrender to Barias after the six-hour siege.[20]
Trillanes and Lim were placed under maximum security in Camp Crame.[21][22] Anti-Arroyo rallyists marched towards Liwasang Bonifacio. Julio Labayen, bishop-prelate emeritus of Infanta, was transferred from detention in Camp Crame to the custody of the current Infanta bishop-prelate, Rolando Tria Tirona, and/or the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Manila Pen '50' or the personalities arrested were transferred from the Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan to the maximum detention cell in Camp Crame, while 11 ABS-CBN personnel were released after processing. 450 people were arrested in Metro Manila due to the curfew enforced in the metropolis and in Regions III and IV.
Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez Jr. and Infanta, Quezon Bishop Emeritus Julio Labayen, all of Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME) – lead a prayer rally at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Bonifacio Day, and asked Mrs. Arroyo to step down for "lack of moral ascendancy to lead the nation." Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) held its rally at nearby Bonifacio Shrine in Lawton led by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr.. As of 1:30 p.m., some 5,000 members of militant groups gathered at España Avenue to march towards Liwasang Bonifacio. At 11 a.m., "reserve force" / troops with 10 6x6 military trucks came from Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija and passed along EDSA towards Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Some personalities / detainees arrested, accused the police of "maltreating" them during their detention in Camp Bagong Diwa. Lawyer Argee Guevarra stated that retired bishop Julio Labayen was "treated like a common criminal," handcuffed and fingerprinted during detention: "Bishop Labayen was never imprisoned during Martial Law. But under the rule of Arroyo and Pidal, no less than a bishop was arrested and detained." Australia and the UK cautioned nationals in Manila. The Manila Peninsula Hotel will re-open on December 3, after assessment of damages, as Mrs. Arroyo blamed Trillanes for the destruction.[23]
On December 1, 2007, the Philippine National Police (PNP) formed a team to re-arrest Nicanor Faeldon, while former University of the Philippines president Francisco Nemenzo was freed to the custody of Akbayan Rep. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros as inquest proceedings continued against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and 49 others at the Camp Crame Multipurpose Hall who were accused of Rebellion. DOJ Undersecretary Fidel Esconde, state prosecutors Aristotle Reyes, Philip dela Cruz and Alvin Navarro were part of the inquest panel. Inquest proceedings ended at 1:00 a.m., and Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said the resolution will be released on December 3: "Until we issue a resolution, those arrested will stay in detention or under the police custody; We will make a resolution as soon as possible. We also do not want to prolong the agony of the complaint respondents.”[24] Velasco, also stated on Peninsula 50: "We are working fast to avoid prolonging the agony of the respondents. We want to see to it that if they are innocent, they can be released immediately. If they are liable, we want to assure them this is just work and there is nothing personal. There was no media personality charged. And from what I have observed so far, media did not do anything wrong during the standoff."[25] The Central Command (CENTCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines remained under red alert as CENTCOM chief Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado conducted a loyalty check among his personnel. Francisco Nemenzo Jr. confirmed that a police general hit Senator Antonio Trillanes IV: “My civilian companions and I were not hurt. I didn’t hear any report that the civilians were hurt. But the soldiers were roughed up, especially Senator Trillanes]. I saw that a police general punched Trillanes, and then his handcuff was tightened. It appeared that they wanted to humiliate him, they dragged him by holding his belt."[26] Meanwhile, opposition senators blocked a resolution of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to expel Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV from the Senate of the Philippines. Also, Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. affirmed that it will counter media networks (ABS-CBN) suits against the PNP who also denied an allegation of a lawyer of junior officers that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and their companions were manhandled at a police camp. Teofisto Guingona, Jr. returned to Crame to visit detained daughter, and actress-writer Bibeth Orteza was released from Camp Crame. The Bishops’ rally fizzled out, while elsewhere, loyal troops choked off support for Trillanes. 602 curfew violators were held in Central Luzon, while 479 were arrested in Calabarzon during curfew. Further, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's luncheon with Pampanga journalists was cancelled but she kept her Europe itinerary despite ouster attempt.[27]
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will file charges of economic sabotage against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Avelino Razon Jr, chief of the PNP and the Armed Forces stated that Makati police, 32 personalities and government employee were probed for siege involvement, and also announced set talks with media / the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) on December 5:"We're going to have a talk with the AFP and KBP to discuss the problem so what happened will not be repeated."[28] The Senate of the Philippines will discuss expulsion bid against Trillanes on December 3. Lawyer Ibarra Gutierrez III, and counsels for 51 arrested soldiers and civilians arrested will file illegal detention charges against the police for failing to meet the 36-hour legal deadline to file charges.[29]
On December 3, 2007, Antonio Trillanes IV asked Miriam Defensor Santiago to reconsider her expulsion Senate Resolution 228 (citing Rule 34, Sec. 97 of the Senate Rules / Art. II, Sec. 3 of the 1987 Constitution). But Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. stated: "Kailangan 2/3 or 16 votes papunta sa explusion (You need 2/3 or 16 votes for expulsion)."[30] The Department of Justice (DOJ), 10-page resolution, filed Rebellion charges against Teofisto Guingona, Jr., Bishop Emeritus Julio Labayen, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, "running" priest Robert Reyes and 31 other individuals. It also issued a hold departure order against the 36 individuals, while 15 others released will undergo preliminary investigation. Thus, the Senate of the Philippines held caucus on the arrests of media men, curfew and expulsion resolution, as Manuel Roxas II filed resolution for inquiry on the treatment of journalists.[31] The Peninsula Manila declared itself "fully operational" at noon. 20 Sanlakas militants stormed the PNP headquarters, Quezon City (10:30 a.m. in front of the Camp Crame main gate along EDSA) to call for the release from detention of their leaders. The Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCom), fact finding board, uncovered lapses by 100 soldiers but no Mutiny by Magdalo (mutineers) guards.[32] Natividad Reyes / the family of activist priest Robert Reyes appealed to Gaudencio Rosales. With situation ‘normalized,’ Hermogenes Esperon left for Malaysia. 14 arrested civilians were released by the Philippine National Police from the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame past 7 p.m.: businessman Herman Tiu Laurel, Stella Guingona, daughter of former vice-president Teofisto Guingona, El Cid Fajardo, Leonido Toledo, Evangeline Mendoza, Jose Albert, Eduardo Castro, Ferdinand Sandoval, Julie Ancheta, Maamor Lanto, Romeo Dacles, Ryan Custodio, Edgardo Viania and Ray Linaac. They, however, will still undergo preliminary investigation.
The DILG said it will ask the court to transfer Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV group to the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City, for "security reasons."[33]
US ambassador Kristie Kenney stated: "No, we do not support extra-constitutional means to change government, in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world, I think it's always disturbing when you see people behaving contrary to the rule of law and constitutional authority; Washington will continue to "remain a very, very strong ally" of Arroyo, who is President George W. Bush's key ally in the Southeast Asian theatre of the US-led "war on terror; "We want this country to move forward."[34]
On December 6, 2007, the Rebellion and inciting to rebellion case were raffled to high-profile Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150. He handled the rebellion case against the "Batasan 6," lawmakers, and the murder case against former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste. DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno stated that defiant media can be arrested again, while Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. and Sen. Panfilo Lacson visited Antonio Trillanes IV to check on his living conditions. Pimentel told Trillanes to ‘Stay out of trouble.’ The NBI asked The Peninsula Manila for Nov. 29 CCTV footages. ABS-CBN news executives assailed government officials for the arrest and cuffing of members of the media, in the Hotel dialogue. DOJ deferred motion to transfer Trillanes, Lim to New Bilibid Prisons, as Muntinlupa Representative Rozzano Rufino Biazon, an administration ally, and Deputy Minority Leader Roilo Golez opposed: “The Bilibid is an institution of convicts and Trillanes et al. are not convicts. Their detention in NBP will be irregular. It seems to be punishment while still undergoing trial.”[35][36] Bishop Emeritus Julio Labayen of Infanta, Quezon, returned to Quezon province (Infanta with Bishop Rolando Tirona).
In a 48-page comment filed November 28, Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera blocked Trillanes’s plea for Senate attendance. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stated that the government would show no mercy to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and the rebel soldiers and civilians. “You saw it on television. It’s clear that the actions of these few desperate men reveal just how out of touch they are with the hopes and dreams of the average Filipino.”[37]
On December 13, 2007, the Makati court dismissed Rebellion cases against Teofisto Guingona, Jr., Fr. Robert Reyes, Bishop Emeritus Julio Labayen, Francisco Nemenzo, Elizabeth Orteza, lawyers JV Bautista and Argee Guevarra and other civilians. Journalists (Malaya columnist Ellen Tordesillas, NHK reporter Charmaine Deosgracias and Maria Ressa of ABS-CBN) recounted their ordeals during the Manila siege at the Senate hearing on media arrest. Recently, 6 unidentified soldiers were probed over the siege and Antonio Trillanes also filed a manifestation apologizing to Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Oscar Pimentel, from whose courtroom the walkout began. The apology however, as Sen. Trillanes pointed out, was not directed at Mrs. Arroyo.[38]
On December 28, 2007, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and 16 accused by counsel Ernesto Francisco, in the November 29 Makati Rebellion, moved for partial reconsideration of the probable cause Order dated 13 December 2007, and to dismiss the case pending at the sala of Judge Elmo Alameda, Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 50.[39]
The Supreme Court of the Philippines, on June 27, 2008, per ponente Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales in a 16-page decision unanimously dismissed Trillanes' petition "to be allowed to attend Senate sessions, other plenary or committee hearings, to give interviews to air his comments to the press, to attend to his official functions and duties and to receive members of his staff at the Marine brig in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig."[40] Morales ruled: "All prisoners whether under preventive detention or serving final sentence cannot practice their profession nor engage in any business or occupation, or hold office, elective or appointive, while in detention; the fact that he is on trial for a non-bailable offense makes his rights more limited than those of the public; the 'Manila Pen Incident,' proves that petitioner's argument bites the dust. The risk that he would escape ceased to be neither remote nor nil, as in fact, the cause for foreboding became real; election, or more precisely, reelection to office does not obliterate a criminal charge; The Petitioner's electoral victory only signifies pertinently that when the voters elected him to the Senate, they did so with full awareness of the limitations on his freedom of action and with the knowledge that he could only achieve such legislative results which he could accomplish within the confines of prison."[41]
Ramon Tulfo lately hit Trillanes' in his column saying "how can this person denounce corruption in the Arroyo administration when he himself has unexplained wealth like cars and a house in Antipolo while he was just merely a Navy Lieutenant.[42]
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