Trillanes said 'Duterte did not even give the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) enough time to assess and act on the matter.
Citing information he received, Trillanes said the AFP also did not request such declaration from the President to fight the Maute terrorist group.
“In short, hindi warranted na mag-declare ng martial law sa buong Mindanao. Kung sakali man hihingin ito ng Armed Forces, which hindi naman hinihingi, ay dapat doon lang sa area of conflict,”
(In short, the declaration of martial in the whole of Mindanao is not warranted. If the Armed Forces askes for it – which it didn't – it would only be in the area of conflict.)
For the senator, Duterte's fiercest critic, the President was clearly planning to do it all along.
“Napansin ko lang sa pag-declare niya ay parang naging trigger-happy na kating-kati mag-declare na di man lang binigyan ng kaunting panahon ang Armed Forces to give an assessment, control situation bago nagdeclare,” he said.
(I noticed in his declaration that he has become trigger-happy and itching to make a declaration without even giving the Armed Forces a little time to give an assessment, and to control the situation, before making a declaration.)
Senators went on a closed-door caucus on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the matter.
Other senators welcomed Duterte's decision while some questioned why the whole Mindanao has to be placed under martial law.
Trillanes, for his part, said he would convince his colleagues to limit the President, as Duterte is clearly testing the waters for a nationwide military rule.
“Yes, kasi sabi ko rito, 'pag bibigyan mo ng palugit ito si Duterte, ang susunod nito buong Pilipinas na. Sinasanay niya, kinokondisyon niya isipan ng mamamayan na martial law ay okay lang. Di 'yan – extreme option yan. Ang requisites nga niyan ay invasion or rebellion eh,” Trillanes said.
"I believe tinutulak nya ang boundaries at pasensya ng mamamayan at ng iba't ibang institusyon at sector kung hanggang saan kaya 'yung pagtulak ng kapangyarihan niya. Kung pagbigyan natin ito ngayon, malamang aabusuhin nya ito at buong bansa ang madedeclare na martial law," he added.
(I believe he is pushing the boundaries and patience of the people and various institutions, and the extent of his powers. If we give in to him now, he would likely abuse it, and there will be a martial declaration for the whole country.)