The hashtag #FreeLeilaNow trended on Twitter on Oct. 9 as netizens called for the immediate release of former senator Leila De Lima.
De Lima was held hostage inside her custodial cell at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
“De Lima has been held hostage by the Philippine government the past five years for her views and human rights advocacy. She should be released from police detention immediately. #FreeLeilaNow,” Human Rights Watch Philippines posted on Facebook.
The former senator has been detained in Camp Crame since February 2017 after the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed three cases of illegal drug trading against her.
The DOJ later changed the cases to conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. One of the three cases was dismissed by the Muntinlupa court last year while two are pending.
De Lima’s lawyer said the senator is okay and safe.
“She is okay. I have not spoken to her but our staff who was able to talk to her said she's safe,” lawyer Boni Tacardon, De Lima’s legal counsel, said.
The PNP identified the inmates as Arnel Cabintoy, Feliciano Sulayao Jr. and Idang Susukan.
Cabintoy, alias Abu Musab, and Sulayao, alias Abu Muslim, were arrested by authorities in June 2019 in Quezon City for being suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group.
Susukan was arrested by authorities in Davao City in August 2020 for being a suspected leader of Abu Sayyaf.
The escape and hostage-taking incident happened at about 6:30 a.m. Cabintyo, Susukan and Sulayao attempted to escape from the maximum compound of the PNP Custodial Center.
They stabbed Cpl. Roger Agustin. Patrolman Matias saw the incident and warned the three detainees. They continued to stab Agustin, prompting Matias to shoot, hitting Cabintoy and Susukan.
Sulayao ran to the custodial cell of De Lima and held her hostage. The Special Action Force held negotiations with Sulayao who continued to resist and hold the former senator hostage. They were able to neutralize Sulayao. The incident ended at 7:18 a.m.