A Quezon City prosecutor has dismissed the cyberlibel complaint filed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV against ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, citing insufficient evidence.
Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano confirmed the development on Wednesday, April 23, noting that the case “was dismissed due to insufficiency of evidence to file the criminal case.”
Trillanes filed the complaint in 2024 over videos posted online where Roque accused him of surrendering the Scarborough Shoal to China back in 2012. In one video, Roque remarked: “Hoy Trililing, excuse me, hindi nawalan ng teritoryo ang Pilipinas ni isang inch noong panahon ni Presidente Duterte… nawalan tayo ng teritoryo ay noong panahon ni P-Noy, kung saan siya itinalaga bilang special envoy na walang permiso ng Senado.”
Despite the dismissal, Clavano clarified that Trillanes may still seek a motion for reconsideration.
In a Philstar.com report, Trillanes responded: “It’s too early for him to celebrate. Hindi pa nga s’ya makauwi.”
The former senator is currently running for mayor in Caloocan City, while Roque remains in the Netherlands, seeking political asylum following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
