Ka Leody: De Lima victim of malicious attack, should be freed

Presidential candidate Leody de Guzman on Wednesday expressed support to free detained Senator Leila de Lima, after Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the Eleksyon 2022 presidential bets to pledge to drop all charges against her if they win.

In a statement, de Guzman said he believes that de Lima is a victim of malicious attacks of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration and the harassment against her should stop.

“Matagal na akong naniniwala na biktima ng malisyosong atake si Senadora Leila De Lima ng rehimeng malupit sa mga dukha, at gayundin sa mga pampulitikang oposisyon,” he said.

(I have long believed that Senator Leila De Lima was a victim of a malicious attack by a regime that is cruel to the poor and to the political opposition.)

“Patuloy din tayong naninindigan at nanawagan na dapat itigil ang harassment sa kanya at agad palayin para makapiling ang kanyang ina at pamilya,” he added.

(We also call for an end to the harassment against de Lima and for her to be released immediately so that she can be with her mother and family.)

HRW Asia Director Brad Adams earlier said that de Lima’s detention–which has been going on for five years now–exemplifies the “lawlessness and cruelty” of the Duterte administration.

De Lima, a former Justice secretary and a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, has been detained since February 2017 at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame due to drug-related charges.

A drug case against her was junked by a Muntinlupa City court. She has also repeatedly denied involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, in response to HRW’s call, another presidential candidate, Senator Panfilo Lacson maintained that a president cannot order a release of a person who was detained because of a warrant of arrest. He said that only the courts can order the release of a person deprived of liberty (PDL).

De Lima is seeking reelection in the May 2022 national elections.

She said she wants to restore justice in the next administration, adding that her detention had made her even stronger.—LDF, GMA News