Court accepts TV news video of Pen siege as evidence
A Makati City court has accepted video footage of the Peninsula Manila siege as evidence in the rebellion charges against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and some former military officers and civilians who joined him during the seven-hour standoff at the hotel.
The source of the video footage was not immediately clear, although television networks extensively covered the Nov. 29 hotel takeover.
Despite protests from defense lawyers, Judge Elmo Alameda received the videotapes from prosecution lawyers headed by Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, but reprimanded them for not informing the court of their move in advance.
“The footage will show the participation of the accused and how they marched out of the
He said the videotapes showed footage of Trillanes and his armed followers taking battle positions at the lobby of the hotel. “It’s all in DVD,” he said.
Defense lawyers vowed to contest the prosecution’s move, saying the footage was not part of evidence presented during the marathon inquest proceedings at
“We strongly object to any effort to include that in the evidence,” defense lawyer Theodore Te said.
The rebellion charges against Trillanes and 35 others landed on
The accused were unable to attend yesterday’s proceedings because there was no court order allowing their temporary release from
Lim, through his lawyer, asked
Lim said the military should take custody of him because he is also facing court martial.
Meanwhile, the city government asked the Makati Regional Trial Court to hear the rebellion charges against Trillanes and the others at the old City Hall building, particularly the session hall on the third floor where the sensational
In a letter to Executive Judge Winlove Dumayas, acting City Administrator Marjorie de Veyra said they hope to include in the request other high-profile cases.
“This is to prevent any disruption in services and to ensure the security and welfare of the employees and officials of the city government and the courts, and the general public who transact their business at the main building of the
She noted that city employees panicked when Trillanes and Magdalo soldiers stormed out of the courtroom on their way to the
The
Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon Jr. relieved officer-in-charge Supt. Angel Sumulong and more than a dozen other officials and personnel for their failure to stop Trillanes and his group.
New name on list
Marine Pfc. Arvin Celestino, who was about to fly to the
“From the evidence so far submitted by the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group), remaining uncontroverted, there exists probable cause showing the complicity of respondent Pfc. Celestino to the crime of rebellion committed on Nov. 29, 2007,” read a three-page DOJ resolution signed by Velasco.
The DOJ said the evidence against Celestino include ANC Television video footage of the Peninsula takeover, photographs, documents outlining the plot, Celestino’s passport and US visa, and a Northwest Airlines ticket, among others. In some footage, Celestino was reportedly seen escorting Trillanes.
Seized documents also reportedly include an alleged escape plan for Trillanes and his companions.
The DOJ said “it cannot be disputed” that Celestino was part of the team that escorted the group of Trillanes from the Makati Regional Trial Court to the
Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nestor Mantaring said that they are verifying reports that supporters of the failed siege also occupied two hotels near the
“We would also investigate the two other close hotels and several places which were used as safe houses or holding areas prior to the operation. We would validate this information,” Mantaring said. He said it was Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez who sought an inquiry into the matter. The NBI official did not name the hotels.
For his part, NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Services Ruel Lasala said two employees of the
- Latest
- Trending
