MANILA (UCAN): A court in Manila has issued warrants for the arrest of Jesuit Father Albert Alejo and Divine Word Father Flaviano Villanueva, former senator, Antonio Trillanes, and several other individuals who were earlier linked to a supposed plot to oust Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte,
The two priests later posted bail at 10,000 pesos each ($1,500).
The warrants stated that the accused “willfully, unlawfully and feloniously came to an agreement and decided to rise publicly and tumultuously, and to employ force, intimidation and other means outside of legal methods” against the president.
The allegations said the accused circulated “malicious and scurrilous libels and (fabricated) evidence against (Duterte) and his immediate family members, making it appear that the president and his family are engaged in a drug trade syndicate.”
Father Alejo, the founder of an anti-corruption campaign called Ehem!, and Father Villanueva, who manages the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Centre that provides food and hygiene care for the poor in Manila, denied the accusations.
Authorities had earlier dismissed charges against Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco and Bishop Teodoro Bacani, the retired bishop of Novaliches. The four had been accused of involvement in the plot but the Department of Justice concluded that the bishops showed no intention of committing sedition and that the complaints filed against them by the police lacked evidence.
Charges against two other priests, Father Robert Reyes and La Salle Brother Armin Luistro, were also dismissed.
On February 11, CBCPNews quoted Archbishop Villegas as saying, “Now that the government officials have seen the falsity of the charges, what can we do but pray as I have always been doing. I pray even more.”
He said, “I pray for those who concocted the calumnies and lies and wish them peace,” adding, “My revenge is forgiveness for my slanderers who relentlessly mock me.”
Bishop David hailed the development saying he was “happy” to be cleared but also “sad” that the Department of Justice indicted two priests and nine others for the supposed ouster plot, CBCPNews reported.
“I still hope and pray that the charges against them be also dismissed soon by the courts,” Bishop David said.
Bishop Bacani said that the no-probable-cause decision “was only right and long overdue.”
The sedition case and other charges stemmed from a viral video accusing Duterte and his family of links to the illegal drug trade.
A person called Peter Joemel Advincula claimed in a video and at a media briefing that Duterte’s son, Paolo Duterte, along iwth presidential aide, Bong Go, were involved in drug syndicates.
He was later presented at a police media briefing where he claimed that the country’s vice president and opposition members and several Church people were behind a plot against the president.
The so-called conspiracy allegedly aimed to create “hatred or revenge” against the president and his family “with the end view of toppling and destabilising the current administration.”
The complaint noted that the accused conspired to spread “false information” against Duterte’s family and administration officials. The charges were filed last year against more than 40 people, including the country’s vice president, Leni Robredo, and 35 members of the opposition.
