MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has slapped former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and 10 others with conspiracy to commit sedition for allegations linking President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade.
Peter Advincula, the man who introduced himself as hooded figure “Bikoy” in “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos that linked the first family to narcotics trade, was also included in the case.
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and some members of the opposition were cleared of sedition and other charges, according to DOJ secretary Menardo Guevarra.
The complaint, which was filed at the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court, alleged that Trillanes and others are involved in “circulating malicious and scurrilous libels,” “to inflict an act of hate” against President Duterte.
Advincula earlier tagged Duterte’s son Paolo, son-in-law Manases Carpio and long-time aide Christopher Go, in drug involvement but took back all his claims, saying the opposition had put him up to it.
Advincula claimed that the opposition Liberal Party and Trillanes were behind the videos and also in separate ouster plot against President Duterte.
Trillanes, in defense, had said Advincula “embellished” real events to “concoct his version of the story.”/PN
