Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV fired back at Senator Bam Aquino, accusing him of grandstanding regarding extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred during the previous administration.
Aquino, in an interview on February 17, reiterated his stance that trials related to EJK cases should be conducted within the Philippines.
Responding on his Facebook page on February 18, Trillanes recalled criticisms he received from Aquino’s supporters and former Vice President—now Naga City Mayor—Leni Robredo, over remarks he made in a previous interview with Christian Esguerra.
“Last year, binash ako ng mga supporters ni Sen. Bam at VP Leni nung namention ko sa interview with Christian Esguerra na sinabi nila sakin na kung mananalo si VP Leni as president ay di nya ibibigay si digong sa The Hague,” Trillanes wrote.
He added, “Ngayon, napatunayan na nagsasabi ako ng totoo dahil galing na mismo kay Sen. Bam.”
Trillanes emphasized that the EJK cases were deeply personal for those who filed them, noting that they personally took care of witnesses and gathered evidence to pursue justice, which he said could not be achieved in the Philippines.
“This is personal to us na mga nag-file ng kaso; nag-alaga ng mga testigo; at nangalap ng mga ebidensya para lang makamit ang hustisya na di maibibigay dito sa Pilipinas kahit gaano mo pa paikutin,” he said.
The former senator also accused Aquino and others of merely showing concern for victims now while doing nothing during the height of the EJKs.
“Siyam na taon ang inantay ng mga pamilya ng mga biktima habang ang mga nagbibida-bida ngayon na may malasakit kuno sa mga biktima ay wala namang ginawa [no’ng] kasagsagan ng EJK,” Trillanes said.
He further questioned whether Aquino had filed charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte and alleged co-perpetrators in local courts during the so-called war on drugs.
“Para maliwanag, Sen. Bam, kung talagang naniniwala kang dapat dito litisin ang EJK cases, kinasuhan mo ba sa local courts si digong at iba pang co-perpetrators nung mga panahong iyon?” he asked.
Trillanes also referenced Aquino’s 2022 campaign statement, claiming it contradicted the senator’s recent remarks on trying cases locally.
“Sa mga hihirit naman na ‘ideally’ ang sinabi mo, maliwanag dun sa sinabi nyo sakin nung campaign nung 2022 na HINDI NYO IPAPADALA si digong sa The Hague kahit may ICC warrant of arrest,” he added.
The former senator suggested Aquino’s statements may have been aimed at winning favor with Duterte supporters, calling them insensitive and unfair to those who sacrificed for justice.
“Besides, alam rin naman natin na ang justice system dito ay far from ideal lalo na sa mga makapangyarihan, so para saan pa ang statement mo? Pa-pogi lang sa mga DDS at the expense ng mga nagsakripisyo?” Trillanes said.
“That’s so insensitive and so unfair,” he concluded.
As of writing, Aquino has not responded to Trillanes’ remarks.