Trillanes to appeal dismissal of cyberlibel case vs Roque

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday said it is too early for Harry Roque to celebrate after the Quezon City prosecutor’s office dismissed the cyberlibel complaint he filed against the former presidential spokesman.

“Don’t celebrate yet. He still can’t go home. Anyway, we will be filing a motion for reconsideration,” Trillanes told The STAR yesterday.

Roque is in the Netherlands where he is seeking asylum over the alleged political persecution by the Marcos administration.

Quezon City Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano approved the dismissal of the cyberlibel case filed by Trillanes against Roque.

Trillanes sued Roque, vlogger Byron Cristobal and several hosts of Sonshine Media Network Inc. for allegedly attacking him on social media platforms.

Trillanes said the attacks against him were related to allegations that he sold Scarborough Shoal to China.

In 2017, the Office of the Ombudsman cleared Trillanes and former president Benigno Aquino III of treason and espionage for engaging in backchannel negotiations with China to resolve the Panatag Shoal standoff in 2012.

Trillanes also lodged complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation against what he said were pro-Duterte troll accounts on TikTok and X.

The accounts were Mr. Realtalker or Lods Chinto, Melagin Nastor Evangelista or Catastrophe, JoeLas, Michael Gorre, Hampaslupang Mandaragat and @SaraAll2028.

He vowed to file more complaints against pro-Duterte troll accounts.