Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, in a recent interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News on Nov. 11, accused ex-president Rodrigo Duterte of actively supporting initiatives to destabilize and orchestrate a coup against the Marcos administration.
“Duterte is a coward,” Trillanes declared, labeling him a power-hungry individual laying the foundations for an uprising. He emphasized, “At this point in time, I think it is clear that there are plans to return to power by any means.”
Highlighting the historical context, Trillanes drew parallels with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, stating, “If you’re talking about Duterte and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, GMA has done it with (former) president Erap (Joseph Estrada),” expressing his concerns in a mix of English and Filipino.
“Duterte has not experienced a life without being in power. He cannot breathe until he has returned to power,” Trillanes asserted, attributing Duterte’s actions to the imminent threat from the International Criminal Court. “It’s a matter of survival for him and physical freedom. He has the motive to do all these things,” he added.
Trillanes, a former soldier with a history of leading mutinies against the Arroyo administration, aligned himself with military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., stating that destabilization and coup plots differ, with the former being mostly political and the latter involved in the military with political support.
Drawing from his past encounters, Trillanes asserts that the ongoing destabilization and coup strategies are currently progressing through the agitation phase. The political elements are being meticulously assembled, with online trolls actively fueling the unrest.
Envisioning an impending confrontation between the Marcos and Duterte factions, Trillanes foresees a decisive head-on collision, projecting that one side will either face obliteration or a substantial weakening.