De Lima's Christmas wishes: Freedom, end to killings in Philippines

Senator Leila De Lima on Thursday said her Christmas wish is to be released from detention, and to see an end to killings in the country.

“I constantly wish for my freedom. This year, after finding the evidence weak and the testimonies against me without credibility as they are mainly perjured, I applied for bail in each of the three cases I’m facing since I was unjustly detained on 24 February 2017," De Lima, currently detained in Camp Crame, said in a statement.

"It is my fervent prayer for my ailing mother to still be with us when I finally celebrate my vindication," she added.

De Lima said she will be spending her fourth Christmas in detention with a few members of her immediate family who are expected to visit her at the PNP Custodial Center.

The opposition senator, who criticized the Duterte administration's war on drugs, was arrested in 2017 for allegedly being a drug protector in New Bilibid Prison during her tenure as Justice Secretary—an allegation she has repeatedly denied.

"Palagi ko ring ipinagdarasal na matigil na ang mga karahasan at pagpatay. Sa pag-usad ng ICC (International Criminal Court) investigation sa ating bansa, sana ay makamit na natin ang hustisya at pananagutan mula sa mapaniil na rehimen ni Duterte," De Lima added.

The ICC's Office of the Prosecutor recently said there was reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity were committed in the administration's anti-illegal drugs campaign but the Palace dismissed it as mere propaganda.

De Lima also wished for Filipinos' access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Despite the difficulties experienced by Filipinos throughout the year, she said there is a lot to be grateful for.

"Let’s give it to our COVID-19 frontliners, typhoon and disaster responders, and the individuals and groups who reach out to those who need help the most during times of disaster out of generosity and a pure desire to help. Their sacrifices made our sufferings bearable and humane," De Lima said.—AOL, GMA News