By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday admitted applying for an exemption from the Commission on Election's (Comelec) gun ban in time for this year's midterm polls.
Trillanes, in a news forum in Senate on Thursday, said he sought the Comelec for an exemption in the ongoing nationwide ban on firearms and other deadly weapons.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV ( Jun Ryan Arañas/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The ban started last Sunday, January 13, marking the official election season in the country.
In asking for his and his men's exemption from the ban, Trillanes cited lingering "threats" to his life. He is known to be one of the President Duterte's staunchest critics.
"Kasama tayo sa humingi ng exemption, dahil alam niyo, itong Pilipinas, hindi safe. Lalo pang pinagulo ni Mr. Duterte, kaya kailangan ng mga nagbabantay sa atin ng ban exemption (I am also asking to be exempted because the Philippines is no longer safe. Mr. Duterte made it even worse, that's why our guards need the ban exemption)," he said.
He also claimed anew that Duterte wanted to "destroy" and "kill" him.
Despite the alleged threats to his life, however, Trillanes said he was surprised that people of Davao City, the Chief Executive's bailiwick, had been warm to him.
He even thanked Davaoenos for their cordial treatment.
"Surprisingly, very warm contrary sa expectations na hostile, na hindi very warm ang reception," he said.
Trillanes was in Davao City last Tuesday to attend the arraignment of his libel charges, filed against him by presidential son and former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.
The opposition senator said he always believes that Filipinos are "matured enough" to understand his role in protecting the country's interest.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV ( Jun Ryan Arañas/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The ban started last Sunday, January 13, marking the official election season in the country.
In asking for his and his men's exemption from the ban, Trillanes cited lingering "threats" to his life. He is known to be one of the President Duterte's staunchest critics.
"Kasama tayo sa humingi ng exemption, dahil alam niyo, itong Pilipinas, hindi safe. Lalo pang pinagulo ni Mr. Duterte, kaya kailangan ng mga nagbabantay sa atin ng ban exemption (I am also asking to be exempted because the Philippines is no longer safe. Mr. Duterte made it even worse, that's why our guards need the ban exemption)," he said.
He also claimed anew that Duterte wanted to "destroy" and "kill" him.
Despite the alleged threats to his life, however, Trillanes said he was surprised that people of Davao City, the Chief Executive's bailiwick, had been warm to him.
He even thanked Davaoenos for their cordial treatment.
"Surprisingly, very warm contrary sa expectations na hostile, na hindi very warm ang reception," he said.
Trillanes was in Davao City last Tuesday to attend the arraignment of his libel charges, filed against him by presidential son and former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.
The opposition senator said he always believes that Filipinos are "matured enough" to understand his role in protecting the country's interest.