Ramil Madriaga, a self-confessed aide and alleged bagman of Vice President Sara Duterte, has claimed that former president Rodrigo Duterte allegedly instructed him to closely monitor and sabotage former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Madriaga made the revelation on Tuesday, April 14, while testifying under oath before the House Committee on Justice during its impeachment proceedings involving the Vice President.

In his supplemental affidavit, Madriaga stated that one of his initial duties allegedly assigned by the former president was to keep close surveillance on Trillanes.

“As part of my duties, PRRD specifically instructed me to monitor, operate, and sabotage former Senator Sonny Trillanes,” Madriaga said.

Madriaga further clarified that he was not employed under the Office of the President or any government agency, but was instead “directly employed” by the former president.

He also alleged that Duterte was initially hesitant about ordering the assassination of Trillanes, citing the former senator’s alleged ties and influence within the military.

“However, PRRD was apprehensive in ordering the assassination of Sen. Trillanes because of the latter's support and contacts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Madriaga added.

Trillanes is one of the known critics of the former president and has previously been among those who filed complaints against Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with alleged crimes against humanity related to the former administration’s war on drugs.