De Lima to women who lost loved ones to EJKs: Fight for justice

Detained Senator Leila de Lima encouraged women who lost their loved ones in drug killings to continue their fight against the Duterte administration's "murderous" policies.

“Do we succumb to sadness, or do we continue to fight for justice, and for our children? Magpapalunod ba tayo sa lungkot at pananahimik, o ipaglalaban natin ang katarungan, at papanagutin ang may kasalanan?” she told women who gathered on Monday for the event dubbed "Confronting Tokhang, Women's Narrative of Survival" at Ateneo de Manila University.

De Lima said that in her 15 months under detention, she has experienced sadness that the times she could spend with her children and grandchildren were always limited. 

"At sa mahahalagang okasyon na hindi ko sila nakasama, nakaramdam ako ng matinding kalungkutan, paano pa kaya ang mga ina ng mga biktima ng Tokhang?” she added.

The senator added that President Rodrigo Duterte is mistaken if he thinks women are weak and cannot face challenges.

“Sinasabi lang ito ng mga taong walang pinagkatandaan, walang respeto, ginagawang katatawanan ang mga sensitibong isyu, at ang tingin sa babae ay kasangkapan lamang—walang pakiramdan, basta-basta lang kung halikan, hiyain, bastusin,” De Lima said.

“Tatak ito ng isang taong duwag. We have a President today who does things on a whim. Nagsasalita siya at kumikilos nang wala sa hulog. Nagdedesisyon nang wala sa huwisyo,” the senator added.

De Lima said the "impunity must stop. It should end now."

"Our experiences as mothers and women have made us stronger. I know that we will triumph and survive despite an abusive and misogynist leader," she added.

De Lima is presently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center for charges over for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison while she was Justice secretary.

The senator has denied allegations that she was the so-called "queen" of the illegal drug trade.

De Lima will stay in detention after the Supreme Court confirmed earlier reports that it had affirmed its October 2017 decision maintaining the legality of her arrest over drug-related charges.

A notice of resolution sent to the media on Wednesday said the high tribunal denied "with finality" De Lima's motion for reconsideration on April 17, when the SC held session in Baguio City.

Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II welcomed the SC's affirmation, saying it has "vindicated" the Department of Justice from allegations of persecution. —KG, GMA News