MANILA, Philippines — The decision of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to stay overnight in the Senate has no basis as there is no arrest warrant for him yet, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday.
The Makati Regional Court branches 148 and 150 are yet to issue arrest warrants against the senator, as requested upon by state prosecutors.
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Senate President Tito Sotto had placed Trillanes under custody to prevent his possible arrest.
"It is clear that because we are waiting for the decision of the (Makati) regional trial court if it will issue a warrant of arrest, Trillanes' stay in the Senate does not have basis," Roque said in Filipino during a press conference in Amman, Jordan.
Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte will wait for the decision of the court and that he will "abide with rule of law."
"That's only drama. No one will really arrest him without a warrant of arrest," Roque said, adding that he doesn't think that there is any possibility of the senator being arrested any time soon.
WATCH: Presidential spokesman Harry Roque says no need for Sen. Trillanes to remain in Senate because no one will arrest him @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/u8reQ1bKSN
— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) September 7, 2018
The military, on the other hand, said that it is in the process of constituting the court martial in relation to Duterte's proclamation revoking the amnesty granted to Trillanes.
Col. Edgard Arevalo, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the military would defer from commenting on the case filed against the senator before civilian courts.
"The AFP as an institution is united and committed to the chain of command and the rule of law," Arevalo said.
Citing an agreement between the AFP and the Senate leadership under Sotto, Trillanes said that no arrest will happen within Senate premises.
"Arresting officers as well as agitators, on the other hand, are not allowed in the premises. PERIOD," Sotto told Philstar.com. — Patricia Lourdes Viray