ShareThisCAMP CRAME, Quezon City – After seven years in detention, Senator Antonio Trillanes is free and is set to be at the Senate for the first time when it resumes its session on June 17.
Trillanes, who was jailed for his involvement in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula Hotel siege, was released from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame at past 9 p.m. on Monday after Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel granted his petition for provisional release.
President Aquino and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile hailed the release of Trillanes, saying this would enable him to attend to his duties as an elected senator when Congress resumes its session next month.
Enrile said that Trillanes will be under the custody of the Senate while out of jail and while awaiting the court decision on his cases together with other mutineers.
The President expressed hope that Trillanes would use his freedom to catch up on his responsibilities and the opportunities to improve society, through legislation, which he missed for the past three years while in detention. Trillanes has three more years of his six-year term which ends on 2013.
“We will be part of rebuilding this country,” Trillanes said in an interview. “So our countrymen can count on us, they will have a voice in the Senate who will fight and protect for their rights,” he said.
Although he supported Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. in the last election, Trillanes said he will be an ally of the Aquino administration in the Senate.
Shortly after his release, Trillanes immediately thanked President Aquino for issuing Proclamation No. 75 last Nov. 24, 2010, granting him amnesty, which was readily approved by the Senate.
”I would like to express my gratitude once again to president Aquino and all those who made this amnesty possible. To our countrymen, be assured of our unwavering commitment to selflessly serve our country and people,” Trillanes said.
Trillanes was elected senator in May 2007 while in detention in Camp Crame. A Philippine Navy lieutenant, Trillanes served as the spokesman of the Magdalo group that seized the Oakwood Premiere Hotel (now Ascott) at the Ayala Center in Makati City on July 27, 2003 along with more than 300 soldiers who demanded the resignation of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for alleged corruption.
During the hearing in November 2003 on the Oakwood Mutiny, Trillanes walked out of the court, along with some Magdalo group members that triggered a standoff at the Peninsula Manila Hotel also in Makati.
From Camp Crame, Trillanes immediately proceeded to his home in Antipolo City.
“Masayang masaya sya siyempre dahil sa tagal ng panahon makakalaya at makakapiling na nya ang pamilya nya (He is very happy from the time he was detained and he can be with his family),“ said his spokesman Rey Robles
“Yun lang ang request nya kaya nga hindi namin pinaalam sa media yung little time sa pamilya nya ngayon at bukas pero pagkatapos ay haharap na sya sa media (That’s his request — to spend his little time to be with his family today and tomorrow so he did not disclose to the media but then he will be facing the media), he added.
He said it was fortunate that the military leadership allowed Trillanes to “waive” through the usual process, to include undergoing medical examination that expedite his release.
In a statement issued after his release, Trillanes expressed his appreciation to President Aquino for his amnesty proclamation as well as to his family and supporters.
“I would like to express my gratitude once again to President Aquino and all those who made this amnesty possible. Likewise, I thank my family, friends and supporters who patiently stood by us though this long and difficult journey. Finally, to our countrymen, be assured of our unwavering commitment to selflessly serve our country and people. May God Bless Us All,” Trillanes said.
Trillanes have filed the petition for provisional release after the Makati court deferred the promulgation last week of the coup d’etat case against him and the Magdalo group for their participation in the July 27, 2003 Oakwood mutiny due to President Aquino’s amnesty proclamation.
Another court hearing his rebellion case in connection with the 2007 Manila Pen siege has also deferred the trial of the case, citing the same reason.