ASEAN lawmakers call for the release of Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes

JAKARTA – Parliamentarians across Southeast Asia called for the immediate and unconditional release of Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes, who was detained today following the decision by a Makati Court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

“His arrest is politically motivated and linked to President Duterte’s long-running vendetta against Senator Trillanes, who has been one of the fiercest critics of the President and his policies. Legislators must be allowed to perform their democratic duties without threat or fear of reprisals,” said APHR Chairperson Charles Santiago, a member of the Malaysian Parliament.

“It is deeply worrying that President Duterte is intensifying his efforts to silence critics through a culture of fear – whether journalists, politicians or rights defenders – who dare question him and his murderous ‘war on drugs’.”

On 31 August, President Duterte signed a proclamation to revoke an amnesty granted to Sen. Trillanes’ over his role in two military uprisings against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The amnesty was granted by former president, Benigno Aquino III, through a 2010 proclamation, approved by both houses of Congress.

Duterte claims the amnesty was void since Sen. Trillanes had failed to submit his application for it along with an admission of guilt. However, a video presented in the Senate in early September appears to show that Sen. Trillanes did comply with the requirements under the amnesty proclamation.

On 11 September, the Supreme Court denied Sen. Trillanes’ application for a stay against President Duterte’s proclamation. Authorities moved to detain him today after a regional court in Makati issued a warrant for his arrest.

“This is yet more evidence of shameful political interference in the justice system, threatening the independence of the Philippines’ democratic institutions and the rule of law,” Charles Santiago said.

Sen. Trillanes has been one of the most prominent critics of the Duterte administration, particularly around issues of corruption and extrajudicial killings in the violent “war on drugs.” Last year, President Duterte threatened to “destroy” the Senator after he alleged that the president’s son was involved in drug trafficking.

Today’s arrest comes amid a widening crackdown on critics by the Duterte government. Last year, opposition Senator Leila De Lima was arrested on drug charges which many human rights groups say are fabricated, and has remained in prison since awaiting the start of her trial.

“It is disconcerting to see one more lawmaker join the ranks of those who have been threatened, harassed or jailed simply because of their peaceful criticism of the government. A system where opposition lawmakers, activists, journalists and ordinary citizens are frightened or threatened from questioning the President or government policies is not sustainable,” Charles Santiago said.

“This worrying trend is also evident elsewhere in the region – including in Thailand and Cambodia, where governments have disbanded or seriously restricted political parties. As regional lawmakers, we stand in solidarity with Sen. Trillanes and other colleagues in ASEAN who are pushing for a more democratic and rights-respecting region. We are together in this fight.”