Philippine president Duterte revokes amnesty of political opponent over historic attempted coup

'We're living basically in a de facto martial law,' senator says after president orders his arrest

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has issued an arrest warrant for one of his loudest critics in the senate (Getty)

Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, has ordered the arrest of his fiercest political opponent in congress after voiding an amnesty given to the senator.

Antonio Trillanes IV condemned the withdrawal of the pardon awarded to him after his involvement in an unsuccessful uprising, but said he would not resist arrest.

After senate leaders refused to allow his arrest in congress, Mr Trillanes said he would initiate a standoff with officers waiting outside by holing up inside the senate building.

“We're living basically in a de facto martial law environment of the '70s kind,” he told reporters, in reference to the martial law declared by dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1972 - considered a dark chapter in Philippine history.

Several opposition politicians have also offered their support for the 47-year-old former navy officer, who was detained for years before his election to the senate, for his involvement in three military uprisings between 2003 and 2007 protesting corruption.

Military spokesman colonel Edgard Arevalo said Mr Trillanes: “will be reverted to his status as active military personnel subject to military law and military discipline,” adding he may be tried in a military court.

Several young military officers received amnesties for taking part in the failed coup under Mr Duterte’s two presidential predecessors, although only Mr Trillanes has so far seen his pardon revoked.

Opposition senator Antonio Trillanes IV is facing arrest over a historic attempted coup (AP)

The senator said his lawyers would petition the Supreme Court to fight the move by the president, who is currently on a visit to Israel.

“They're bending the law to be able to do their political objective, which is to persecute the political opposition,” Mr Trillanes added.

Opposition senator, Franklin Drilon, said any attempt by the government to pursue rebellion and coup-related cases against Mr Trillanes would amount to “double jeopardy”.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque told reporters in Israel that the move against Mr Trillanes was not political persecution, adding that the government was just enforcing the law.

Mr Duterte has openly expressed anger against Mr Trillanes, who has accused him of large-scale corruption and involvement in illegal drugs, allegations the volatile president denies.

Another opposition senator, Leila de Lima, has been detained after being accused by Mr Duterte of involvement in illegal drugs.

A former human rights commission chief, she had previously investigated the president's alleged role in extrajudicial killings when he served as mayor of Davao City.

Another Duterte critic, Maria Lourdes Sereno, was ousted by fellow justices from the Supreme Court in May after the government alleged that her appointment by Duterte's predecessor was legally flawed and petitioned for her removal.

Additional reporting by AP