Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday denied that he is behind the supposed coup and destabilization attempts against President Rodrigo Duterte, as alleged by Senator Panfilo Lacson.
“I categorically deny na meron akong pinaplano o gagawing kudeta o destabilization,” Trillanes, a former Navy junior officer who led several coup attempts during the Arroyo administration, said in a statement.
“Kaya rin walang kailangang pondohan ng sino man,” he added.
“Si Lascanas at Matobato ay nagsasabi lang ng katotohanan para mamulat ang taongbayan tungkol kay President Duterte. Ngayon kung nayayanig sila dahil dito, problema nila yun,” Trillanes said, also referring to another confessed hitman Edgar Matobato.
Trillanes then went on to say that Duterte is friends with owners of mining companies and drug lords.
“Bukod pa rito, ang mga mining companies ay mga kaibigan ni Duterte kaya nga hindi nya ma-implement yung suspension order ni Sec. Gina Lopez,” he said.
Secretary Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has yet to hurdle the Commission on Appointments as her appointment is being opposed by mining companies.
Duterte, meanwhile, has continued to vouch for Lopez's fitness for the post.
“Kaibigan rin niya ang mga drug lords kaya nga wala pang nahuhuli ni isa at puro mahihirap lang ang napapatay,” Trillanes added, referring to the thousands of drug suspects killed in the Duterte administration's war on illegal drugs.
SOURCE: GMA