Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and his co-accused are set to be arraigned this March for conspiracy to commit sedition in connection with their alleged involvement in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video series.
This was disclosed by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra after learning of the next steps that will be taken by the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) which issued the arrest warrants against the accused.
“Arraignment on March 17,” Guevarra informed reporters.
Just last Thursday, QC MeTC Branch 138 issued arrest warrants against Trillanes and his co-accused with the bail pegged at P10,000 each.
“When the court issues a warrant of arrest, it means that the judge agrees that there is probable cause against the accused,” Guevarra said.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) filed before the court last Monday the case of conspiracy to commit sedition in violation of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) against the accused after having found probable cause to indict them.
Aside from Trillanes, those named as accused were former Police Sr. Supt. Eduardo Acierto, Peter Joemel Advincula alias Bikoy, Joel Saracho, Boom Enriquez, Yolanda V. Ong, Vicente Romano III, Fr. Albert E. Alejo, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Jonnel P. Sangalang, and a certain Monique.
The case stemmed from the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video series which was released online back in April 2019 and became viral over the internet.
The videos, which featured Bikoy, accused a number of personalities, including members of President Duterte’s family, as being involved in illegal drugs activities.
In the charge sheet, the defendants were accused of having committed conspiracy to commit sedition “by circulating malicious and scurrilous libels and fabricating evidence against him (Duterte) and his immediate family members, making it appear that the President and his family are engaged in a drug trade syndicate, with no other purpose but to inflict an act of hate or revenge against the President of the Philippines and his immediate family members.” (Jeffrey Damicog)
