Trillanes vows not to lead any revolts vs Aquino govt

Former Navy officer and now detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV expressed his support for President Benigno Aquino III’s government on Wednesday and swore that he would not lead any putsches against the present administration. “We are going to support this administration since it has a mandate from the people," Trillanes told GMA News’ Raffy Tima on “24 Oras" in a press briefing, his first after the president signed Proclamation 50 on October 11 granting amnesty to him and 300 other soldiers involved in three uprisings against the previous Arroyo administration. But even as he vowed not to lead any future coup attempts, Trillanes said that this was no guarantee that no other revolts would be staged against the government. "Even if iukit namin sa bato ‘yun, it wouldn’t guarantee na walang susunod sa ibang sektor, not only in the military, who will rise up against any administration. So [its] ultimate guarantee [is] good governance," said Trillanes. (Even if we wrote [our vow] in stone, it wouldn’t guarantee that no other sector would follow suit, not only in the military, who rise up against any administration. So its ultimate guarantee is good governance.)
Trillanes, a former Navy lieutenant senior grade, is facing charges before military and civilian courts for his participation in two alleged attempts to overthrow the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now a member of the Lower House representing Pampanga. In the press briefing, Trillanes said he is thankful to President Aquino for inking the amnesty proclamation. “Basically, it's human nature. If somebody is instrumental in giving you freedom, at the very least you'd be very grateful," he said. He hastened to add, however, that the administration did not ask anything from him in exchange for his freedom. "To be fair to them, walang hiningi na kahit ano (they never asked for anything). (For our part) I believe it goes without saying, the issues then (during the Arroyo administration) were very clear and they are not prevalent now," he explained. Over 300 junior officers and enlisted men led by Trillanes took over the Oakwood Premier in the Ayala Center, Makati City on July 27, 2003 to condemn the alleged corruption of the former Arroyo administration and among the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in particular. (See: Oakwood Mutiny backgrounder) While he was in detention for this revolt, Trillanes ran for and was elected senator in 2007. But just months after, he escaped his own trial and, along with Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, again led soldiers in forcibly occupying Manila Peninsula Hotel to call for the ouster of then President Arroyo. Fellow soldiers on trial for participation in the two attempted coups d’etats had been freed earlier after apologizing to Arroyo. While he is not keen to debate those who are opposed to the amnesty, Trillanes said he is ready to speak personally with Sen. Joker Arroyo, who has voiced his opposition to the amnesty. (See: Magdalo lawyer joins critics of presidential amnesty for mutineers) The approval of both chambers of Congress is needed before Proclamation 50 can take effect. (See: Aquino signs proclamation giving amnesty to 'mutineers')—With Jerrie M. Abella/DM/JV, GMANews.TV