Makabayan lawmakers seek congressional inquiry into De Lima hostage incident

Makabayan bloc lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Monday sought a congressional inquiry into the hostage-taking of former senator Leila de Lima by an inmate inside the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center last Sunday morning.

House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers, and Raoul Manuel of Kabataan made the call under House Resolution 473, tasking the House public order and safety committee to conduct a probe.

Police earlier reported that de Lima, who has been in detention in the PNP Custodial Center since 2017 on drug trade-related charges, was held hostage by alleged Abu Sayyaf member Idang Susukan after Susukan's plan to escape the detention facility with fellow inmates Feliciano Sulayao Jr., and Arnel Cabintoy failed.

Susukan was accused of being a prominent figure among the ranks of local terrorist group Abu Sayyaf ,while Sulayao and Cabintoy were alleged members of Daulah lslamiyah, another terrorist group.

"There is a need to thoroughly investigate the hostage-taking incident, considering that the PNP Custodial Center is a maximum security facility and is well within the headquarters of the PNP," the lawmakers said.

The Makabayan legislators then renewed their call on the government to drop what they describe as false charges against de Lima.

Since her detention in 2017, one of the three drug trade-related charges against de Lima has been dropped due to lack of evidence.

"De Lima still remains in detention for false allegations of involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as Justice Secretary. The incident exposed how the former senator's life and safety is at serious risk even inside the detention center, thereby strengthening the call for her immediate release from prison," the resolution said.

"Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the House Committee on Public Order and Safety conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the hostage-taking perpetrated by an inmate against former senator De Lima inside the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame on October 9, 2022," it added.

A policeman was stabbed during the three detainees' attempted escape while another policeman on duty was able to fire at the three but only Cabintoy and Susukan were killed at this point.

With his cohorts dead, Sulayao headed toward de Lima's cell and took her hostage.

Based on the former senator's sworn statement, the hostage-taking incident took place at around 6:40 a.m. inside her detention cell while she was praying the rosary.

De Lima said Sulayao ordered her to relay to the police that he needed a Hummer and a C-130 to bring him to Sulu. The hostage-taker also asked for media coverage of the hostage-taking incident.

The former senator also recounted that Sulayao was determined to kill her since his two other companions were already dead, and that he was expecting that he would get killed too. In addition, de Lima also disclosed that Sulayao  saw that the main outer gate was closed and dragged her back to her room where she was shoved, blindfolded, and bound by towels.

Police officers managed to shoot Sulayao dead after attempts at negotiations, securing de Lima in the process.

Since then, de Lima said the incident left a lingering pain on her chest where the hostage taker had pressed hard a knife. — BM, GMA News