Trillanes on Rodrigo Duterte arrest: Use this time to purify soul
MAY 27, 2019
Then Sen. Antonio Trillanes privilege speech on “Bikoy” issue during Senate session at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City.
EDWIN BACASMAS
MANILA, Philippines — Following his arrest for alleged crimes against humanity, former president Rodrigo Duterte should reflect and use this time to “purify his soul,” according to former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
Trillanes, one of Duterte’s most vocal critics, also welcomed the development and called it the first step to achieving justice for the victims of the previous administration’s war on drugs.
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“Ito ay mahabang byahe tungo sa araw na ito na actually ay unang hakbang palang tungo sa pagkamit ng hustisya para doon sa libu-libong napatay noong panahon ng Duterte administration,” he said over a Radyo 630 interview.
(This has been a long journey leading to this day, which is actually just the first step toward achieving justice for the thousands who were killed during the Duterte administration.)
“Kailangan tanggapin na niya [Duterte] ‘yan. Magkaroon siya ng panahon para magnilay-nilay ay kung baga ito ‘yung time na kailangan niyang i-purify ‘yung kanyang kaluluwa bago magtapos ‘yung lahat kasi ganoon na po ‘yung ending nito eh,” he also said.
(He [Duterte] needs to accept that. He should take the time to reflect—this is the moment for him to purify his soul before everything comes to an end because that’s how it will all conclude.)
Trillanes also commended the police for this development.
He pointed out that they have “redeemed” themselves after their reputation had been tainted in the infamous war against illegal drugs.
“Magaling po, magaling po ang ating mga kapulisan. My hats off to [Philippine National Police] General [Rommel] Marbil at General [Nicolas] Torre dahil talaga pong nagkaroon ng redemption,” Trillanes said.
(Our police did a great job, truly great. My hats off to [Philippine National Police] General [Rommel] Marbil and General [Nicolas] Torre because they have truly achieved redemption.)
“Nakabawi po ang reputasyon ng kapulisan dahil sa pangyayaring ito, dahil alam niyo naman sila ‘yung naging kasangkapan noong panahon ni Duterte. Not the same policemen at hindi naman lahat ganun, pero still, nakabawi,” he continued.
(The reputation of the police has been restored because of this event. As you know, they were used as instruments during Duterte’s time. Not the same policemen, and not all of them were like that, but still, they have redeemed themselves.)
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Earlier, the Palace confirmed that Duterte had been apprehended following a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Upon arrival in Manila from Hong Kong around 10:30 a.m., Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon served the ICC notification for an arrest warrant against Duterte.
Duterte is currently in the custody of authorities at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.
