Senators urge PNP to restore De Lima's visitation rights

Several senators on Friday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to restore detained Senator Leila De Lima's visitation rights after it was confirmed that no one was allowed to visit her for more than a month.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon with senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan said that De Lima is "inhumanely being held incommunicado" for almost two months.

"We strongly urge the PNP that regular visitation rights be restored so that her loved ones can be in touch with her again and attend to her needs," the senators said in a statement.

"As she is held at the PNP Custodial Center, it is expected that her visitors would be monitored to ensure compliance to COVID-19 health measures. There is no justifiable reason to hold her incommunicado," they added.

The Office of Senator De Lima said their requests to visit her have been repeatedly denied by PNP authorities.

"Our repeated requests for relaxation of the strict policy through grant of limited access, under strict terms and necessary health protocols, by family and staff have been denied by PNP authorities."

The senators also said that human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, and her chief of staff, Atty. Fhillip Sawali were supposed to visit De Lima on Friday morning but were not allowed to see her.

"That’s 41 days that she has not been personally seen by her staff, family, or friends, who are worried about her condition," they said. -- BAP, GMA News