MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has vowed to expose President Rodrigo Duterte’s links to the illegal drug trade as he faces sedition cases filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police against him and 35 others who were linked to the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” (The Real Narcolist) videos.

“Sana lang ay mag-isip nang malalim at hindi magpagamit sa pulitika ang mga DOJ (Department of Justice) prosecutors na mag-iimbestiga nitong kasong ito. Bagkus ay gawin ang nararapat para lumabas ang katotohanan,” Trillanes said in a statement late Thursday night.

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“Anu’t-ano pa man, haharapin ko ito at gagamitin kong pagkakataon na mailabas ang kaugnayan ni Duterte sa iligal na droga,” he added.

The filing of cases against key members of the opposition is also “clear acts of political persecution and harassment by the Duterte administration” aimed to “stifle democratic dissent,” according to the staunch critic of the administration.

Trillanes also said the PNP-CIDG investigators “abused and misused the subpoena power recently bestowed on them to single out critics of the Duterte administration.”

He pointed out that the cases were just backed by the unfounded allegations of Peter Joemel Advincula who repeatedly lied to the public.

“Alam nila na wala silang hawak na ebidensya kundi ang salaysay ng isang testigo na ilang ulit nang nagsinungaling sa publiko, pero tinuloy pa rin ang pag-file ng kaso,” Trillanes said.

“Ang libu-libong homicides under investigation na suspected EJKs (extrajudicial killings) ay hanggang ngayon ay hindi nila malutas at hindi umuusad pero pag oposisyun, dali-dali sila,” the former senator added.

The PNP-CIDG on Thursday filed sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal and obstruction of justice against Trillanes, Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, opposition senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, former senator Bam Aquino, and members of the Otso Diretso slate namely lawyers Chel Diokno, Romulo Macalintal, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Samira Gutoc, and former congressman Erin Tañada.

Also tagged in the complaints were Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Socrates Villegas and incumbent CBCP Vice President Archbishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, running priests Fr. Robert Reyes, Frs. Flaviano Villanueva, Albert E. Alejo, Bishops Honesto Ongtioco and Teodoro Bacani Jr.

READ: PNP-CIDG files sedition case vs Robredo, 35 others over ‘Totoong Narcolist’ video

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On May 6, Advincula, who claimed to be “Bikoy” of the controversial video series, alleged that members and allies of the Duterte family had been receiving drug money from a drug syndicate.

READ: ‘Bikoy’ changes tune on videos

But appearing with ranking PNP officials on May 23, Advincula said his claims against the Dutertes were fabricated and allegedly ordered by Trillanes and the Liberal Party to overthrow the President and install Robredo as Chief Executive. Trillanes, Liberal Party president Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Robredo have already denied these accusations. /muf

READ: What happened then and now: Dissecting the twists and turns of ‘Bikoy’s’ tales

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