Duterte orders arrest of critic over 2003 mutiny

Bloomberg

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the arrest of one of his top critics over a failed mutiny more than a decade ago, in what observers see as his latest move to silence political opponents.
In a proclamation dated
August 31 that was published in the Manila Times’ classifieds on Tuesday, Duterte revoked an amnesty granted to Senator Antonio Trillanes for 2003 and 2007 coup attempts against former leader Gloria Arroyo. The order said the military and police should “employ all lawful means” to apprehend the former naval officer so he can be detained and stand trial.
Duterte is currently travelling in Israel and Jordan. In a briefing live-streamed from Jerusalem, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the amnesty was only granted because of Trillanes’ close ties to Duterte’s predecessor Benigno Aquino. Roque said the decision was “based on laws and facts.”
Trillanes told reporters on Tuesday that amnesty is an act of Congress that can’t be revoked through executive order.
“This is a clear case of political persecution,” he said in a televised briefing. “It should be clear to everyone that Mr. Duterte is a dictator. He doesn’t respect the institutions.”
Trillanes becomes the second senator and fierce Duterte critic to face arrest after Senator Leila de Lima was detained in February 2017 on drug-trafficking charges, which she has denied. Days before the May 2016 election, Trillanes filed a plunder complaint against Duterte, who was then Davao City mayor. Trillanes tried twice but failed to unseat Arroyo, who is now speaker of the House of Representatives and a Duterte ally.