MANILA – Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV denied the allegations of self-confessed “Bikoy” Peter Joemel Advincula that the senator was behind videos linking President Rodrigo Duterte, his family and friends on illegal drug trade.
The outgoing senator said he will consult his lawyers to press charges against Advincula, who claimed he personally met Trillanes, Vice President Leni Robredo and “Otso Diretso” candidates to discredit the administration.
“I deny the allegations made by this ‘Bikoy’ character. This could be another ploy of the administration to harass the opposition. For now, I will be consulting with my lawyers so that we could also file the appropriate charges against him,” Trillanes said.
Lost senatorial bet Rodolfo Alejano belied the claims of Advincula that he met seven of the “Otso Diretso” bets except for Mar Roxas.
“Nakaharap daw namin si Bikoy, except Mar Roxas. That’s clearly a lie,” Alejano said.
“I will consult with my fellow ‘Otso Diretso,’ pwede naming kasuhan ‘yang si Bikoy dahil naninira ng reputasyon,” he added.
Vice President Leni Robredo, who Advincula claimed as part of a plot to unseat Duterte, said she met Advincula personally but not to talk about destabilization plot against the administration.
“Pumunta siya dito sa opisina. Ang purpose niya sa pagpunta is to present the internal survey ng Magdalo para magamit ‘yung survey sa pag-strategize sa campaign,” Robredo said.
“Other than that, in all of our meetings, walang mention about destabilization, walang mention ng pagpapabagsak sa gobyerno, walang mention kay ‘Bikoy,’ lahat ng usapan tungkol sa kampaniya,” she added.
“I will never be part of any destabilization,” she said. “‘Yung pagpasok sa presidency ay destiny ‘iyon. Hindi siya naplaplano, hindi siya napa-plot. Waste of time para pabagsakin ‘yung administrasyon at sa tingin ko subversion ‘yun sa will ng mamamayan.”
Incoming Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go and Davao City congressman Paolo Duterte, who were linked by Advincula in his “narco videos,” were mulling to summon Trillanes once they assume their post.
“Naniniwala po ako na nasa likod nito sina Trillanes at oposisyon. Sinakyan po nila ang issue para sirain si Pangulong Duterte at ang mga kandidato ni Pangulo,” Go said.
“It was obviously designed to inspire public disgust against the government,” Paolo said. “All the lies presented were also meant to crush the trust of the Filipino people in the government and the Duterte administration. I believe a proper investigation is in order.”
Malacañang, which released a matrix about “Bikoy” before the elections, refused to comment on Advincula’s reversal and will just watch as the event unfolds.
“People will always deny. We’d have to wait for Advincula to substantiate his charges. After that, let’s see. If there are charges to be filed in court, then the truth will come out,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo. /PN
