MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed on Friday, September 7, its 2nd motion for an alias warrant of arrest against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV at the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150.

There were two separate cases against Trillanes, both of which had been dismissed:

1. the 2003 Oakwood mutiny case with Makati RTC branch 148
2. the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege with Makati RTC branch 150

Branch 150 headed by Judge Elmo Alameda previously handled the rebellion charges against Trillanes over the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. 

On September 7, 2011, Alameda dismissed the charges against Trillanes pursuant to the amnesty granted to him by former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

On September 4, the DOJ filed the first motion for alias warrant against Trillanes at Branch 148, which is now headed by Judge Andres Bartolome Soriano.

Branch 148, then under Judge Oscar Pimentel, handled the coup d’etat charges against Trillanes over the earlier 2003 Oakwood mutiny. Pimentel’s successor Judge Ma. Rita Bascos Sarabia dismissed the charges on September 21, 2011, pursuant to the amnesty.

Reopen cases?

The DOJ believes that because President Rodrigo Duterte voided Trillanes’ amnesty, it has basis to ask both courts to reopen the cases and issue alias warrants. An alias warrant is a reissued warrant without the need for a new determination of probable cause.

Trillanes and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines believe that both Makati courts have long lost the right to reopen the cases because the dismissals are final and executory.

Branch 148’s Judge Soriano set for hearing on September 13 the motion for warrant, denying the DOJ’s request for an instant issuance.

No action came from Branch 150’s Judge Alameda on Friday.

Asked why the DOJ belatedly filed the motion at Branch 150, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said “wala naman (no reason).”

On Friday afternoon, the Department of Defense as well as the Palace changed their tone: from saying Trillanes can be arrested by the military, both agencies are now saying the civilian courts must be respected. – Rappler.com

Follow the developments here:

• Opposition calls for Senate crowd to prevent Trillanes arrest
• Little-known fact: AFP chief Galvez got amnesty for 1989 failed coup
• Rush for TRO: Trillanes speeds up Supreme Court proceedings
• Trillanes: Supreme Court TRO will give military a ‘way out’
• Military defers action on Trillanes, waits for SC
• Duterte rules out warrantless arrest of Trillanes
• DOJ seeks Trillanes warrant in another court
• No warrant vs Trillanes yet, Makati court says records kept in ‘bodega’
• Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio file libel complaints vs Trillanes
• Sotto to minority senators: Don’t abuse Senate leadership’s ‘hospitality’
• AFP: We are united despite Trillanes amnesty issue 
• Justice Peralta in charge of Trillanes Supreme Court petition
• Esperon contradicts DND, says Trillanes no longer a soldier

Summaries: 

• [WRAP | Day 1] Duterte voiding Trillanes’ amnesty: Everything you need to know
• [WRAP | Day 2] Trillanes gets relief from court, DOJ seeks options
• [WRAP | Day 3] Looming Trillanes arrest jolts PH from sleep