De Lima's Camarines Sur supporters believe senator was treated unfairly

Relatives and supporters of Senator Leila De Lima in her hometown of Camarines Sur were upset with the government's treatment of the lawmaker, who they believe was arrested and jailed unfairly.

GMA 7 News program "24 Oras" reported on Friday that de Lima's supporters were skeptical over the drug charges against her, and despite the government's allegations, they still supported the senator

The senator was detained at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. 

De Lima's cousin, Elma Gaspi, believed that the senator was treated worse than the way dissidents were treated during the Martial Law years.

Gaspi added that they would respect de Lima's wishes to remain strong despite her situation, and urged the senator to continue fighting for her principles.

"Di ba sinabi niya na I don't want to see anybody crying. Kaya lang, siya mismo kagabi, kung ano yung emosyon na namamataan niya, ganun din kami," Gaspi said. "Lei, sana magpakatatag ka. You have to fight for the right of all those na naniniwala sayo. Inumpisahan mo na yan, tapusin mo na."

Colleagues of the incarcerated senator smilarly expressed their support for de Lima, including senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero, JV Ejercito, and Sonny Angara. 

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV meanwhile said De Lima could still perform work as a legislator, alluding to his election to the Senate in 2007 despite his incarceration in 2003. 

“Noong panahon ni Aquino nakapag-conduct ako ng committee hearing sa loob ng kulungan. Pero I doubt it kung papayagan siya ni President (Rodrigo) Duterte,” said Trillanes.

Both Trillanes and De Lima are outspoken critics of Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs, which claimed over 6,000 lives since his inauguration in 2016. — Rie Takumi/DVM, GMA News