Lawmakers of the Makabayan bloc have reignited their call to free former Senator Leila De Lima from detention after she was taken hostage at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Sunday, Oct. 9.
De Lima was taken hostage by three high-risk inmates at the Camp Crame Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Three inmates were killed during the incident.
"With the recent, foiled hostage taking victimizing former Senator Leila de Lima, it is urgent that she be freed immediately or at least be granted bail as more of the witnesses against her already recanted their statements and said that these were made under duress," House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT-Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro said on Oct. 9.
"We are also enjoining our colleagues and the House leadership to support and fast track House Resolution 198 to urge the Department of Justice to immediately withdraw the remaining charges against detained Senator Leila N. de Lima in light of the recent recantations given by key witnesses in her drug cases and to move for her release from unjust and arbitrary detention,” Castro continued.
HR 198 was filed last August. It sought the DOJ’s withdrawal of charges versus De Lima. Castro, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel introduced the measure.
“We also hope that with Pres. Marcos Jr.'s intention to visit the former senator her release will be further expedited," ended Rep. Castro.###
Marcos made an offer to transfer De Lima to another detention center, which the former Senator rejected.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/09/de-lima-declines-pbbm-offer-for-a-safer-jail-abalos/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/09/marcos-to-personally-check-on-de-lima-after-hostage-situation/