[5] For his college education, he initially attended De La Salle University for a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering beginning in 1987.

However, in 1991, he decided to enter the Philippine Military Academy,[9] where he graduated cum laude in 1995 with a Naval Systems Engineering degree.

Gerardo Gambala, led 321 junior officers and enlisted men[11] of the Armed Forces (AFP) in a mutiny against the Arroyo administration.

[12] Among their demands were the resignation of Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and AFP Chief of Intelligence Service Victor Corpus.

[15] On November 29, 2007, Trillanes, Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim, and 25 others charged in relation to the Oakwood mutiny, walked out of their trial and marched in Makati towards the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

On July 23, 2007, Trillanes filed a motion with the Makati RTC that would allow him to fulfill his senatorial duties while under detention, and allow him to attend the SONA.

"[20] On October 17, 2007, the Supreme Court, in an en banc resolution, directed the Armed Forces and Makati RTC Judge Oscar Pimentel to comment within 10 days on Trillanes' petition.

[28] Described as "black propaganda," Duterte's running mate Alan Peter Cayetano filed a petition to the Taguig RTC to stop the airing of the ads for 72 hours.

[29] Trillanes eventually lost the heavily contested race to Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Leni Robredo, after garnering more than 800,000 votes.

[34] In the September Magdalo Party-List mass oath taking in Caloocan, Trillanes formally announced his mayoralty candidacy.

[37] As a result, in 2017, Junjun Binay filed a libel case against Trillanes, accusing him of “publicly and maliciously” accused him and his family of “bribery and other crimes without factual basis.”[38] In 2021, Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 ruled Trillanes guilty for libelous claims, fined him ₱100,000, and asked him to pay ₱500,000 in moral damages and lawsuit costs.

[51][52][53] In July 2024, Trillanes filed plunder charges against Senator Bong Go and former President Duterte, accusing Go of "unduly enriching himself" by allegedly using "his position, authority and influence to corner billions worth of government projects in favor of his father and brother".

[54] Trillanes also filed a drug smuggling case with the Department of Justice against Paolo Duterte, Nicanor Faeldon, Mans Carpio, former National Commission on Indigenous Peoples former head, Allen Capuyan, Davao City Councilor Nilo "Small" Abellera Jr., Charlie Tan, and four others.

The complaint is anchored on the 2017 drug smuggling scandal where ₱6.4-billion methamphetamine shipment was seized in Valenzuela, Metro Manila.

[58][59] Duterte ordered the Department of Justice and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to review all criminal cases in relation to the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and 2007 Peninsula siege.

[60] On September 7, the DOJ filed the application for an arrest and hold departure against Trillanes and it was signed at Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 by Acting Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon as "very urgent".

[61] On September 25, Trillanes posted a bail worth ₱200,000 on rebellion charges after undergoing booking procedures with his mug shots taken at the Makati City Police Station.

[64] Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin called the revocation "highly preposterous" and "clearly a political vendetta.

"[64] On September 7, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said in an interview that the decision against Trillanes is similar to the case of Senator Leila de Lima, who was detained for allegedly violating the drug trafficking law almost a year and a half ago.

Trillanes, through his X account, thanked the Supreme Court for the decision and claimed that the amnesty revocation was made by Duterte, Salvador Medialdea, Menardo Guevarra, and Jose Calida "to silence and imprison opposition members.

"[70][71] On May 14, 2024, Trillanes IV filed defamation and cyberlibel complaint affidavits with the Quezon City Prosecutors's Office against Harry Roque, Guillermina Barrido, Sonshine Media Network International hosts and executives, and vlogger Lord Byron Cristobal, aka "Banat By".