Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV announced Friday that his legal team is preparing to file additional charges against groups linked to the 18 alleged “ex-Marines” who recently surfaced with accusations against him.
Speaking at a news forum in Quezon City, Trillanes dismissed claims that he received $2 million intended for International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators, calling it part of a broader destabilization effort.
“Bottomline dito, ginagawa nila itong lahat — gumagastos sila dito ng malaki, daan-daang milyon para mapatalsik ang Marcos administrator at ng sa ganon eh maproteksyunan nila yung kanilang sarili,” Trillanes said.
He alleged that allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte have repeatedly attempted to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., likening the current situation to past strategies aimed at inciting public outrage and encouraging military withdrawal of support.
“Base sa bilang ko, siguro pang-anim o pang-pito na ‘to na attempt ng Duterte camp na patalsikin ang Marcos administration. Maaaring hindi nararamdaman yan, hindi kasi overt as yung ginawa namin na lantaran. Sila may plano to instigate a public outrage pero kinakapo, yung military component hindi nila napupunuan,” he explained.
Trillanes further claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte would benefit if Marcos were removed, but argued her pro-China stance and leadership style pose concerns for the military.
“Ang issues nila unang-una, si Sara ang makikinabang, kung mapatalsik si President Marcos, si Sara ang uupo. Eh si Sara pro-China. Yan yung big breaker sa military. Pangalawa, in so many conversations with military officers, alam nila diprensiya sa pag-iisip at kung siya magiging presidente ng Pilipinas, malalagay sa kapahamakan ang sambayanan,” he said.
While acknowledging meetings with ICC representatives, Trillanes denied any financial transactions.
“I am ready to admit in general terms na nakikipag-ugnayan ako sa kanila. Hindi ko dine-deny yan. Pero yung sinasabi nila na nagkaroon ng meeting na para sa bigayan ng pera, hindi nangyari yan,” he added.