It’s final, Trillanes cannot convene a hearing at his detention cell – Esperon

By Ronron
October 1, 2007

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV cannot hold a hearing at his detention cell inside the Philippine Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, the military chief said Monday.

In an ambush interview at Camp Crame during the turn over of command rites of the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said the order of the Makati City court trying Trillanes for coup d ‘etat in relation to the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny incident clearly states that the jailed legislator cannot use his detention cell as a political office.

“The ruling of Judge (Oscar) Pimentel is they cannot establish a political office inside camp. What more inside the Marine Brig? He has also ruled that they cannot conduct hearings inside the Marine Brig. That Marine Brig is a prison so why would you conduct a hearing there?” Esperon said.

Asked if there is therefore no chance for Trillanes to hold hearings inside his detention cell based on this, Esperon said: “He cannot hold a hearing there.”

Esperon said it is s not an act of harassment against Trillanes as claimed by the latter’s camp, rather it is just implementing the court order, and even the camp regulations.

“They are the ones that are trying to put in politics inside the camp,” Esperon lashed at Trillanes’ camp.

The camp of Trillanes complained last week of harassment after his visitors from the Senate and other agencies were not allowed to enter his detention cell to deliberate on proposed bills of the Senator.

Trillanes is in jail for allegedly leading the alleged coup plot in July 2003 at the then posh Oakwood Hotel and Apartments in Makati City in protest of alleged corruption in the government and the military establishment.

He is currently facing coup d’ etat charge before the Makati City court and violation of the Articles of War before the General Court Martial./DMS