Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla visited on Wednesday, Oct. 12 former Senator Leila de Lima at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City to reassure her that criminality and terrorism are not part of the teachings of Islam.
Padilla said his visit was not as a senator but as a Muslim and a fellow Bicolano, adding he wanted to drive home the message that what the Abu Sayyaf members who held her hostage last Sunday did not act in accordance with Islam.
"Gusto ko po iparating sa kanya, kung anumang ginawa nitong Abu Sayyaf, ang nagawa nilang hindi maganda, nagawa nilang kaguluhan, terorismo o pananakot, yan ay hindi katuruan ng Islam (I wanted to stress that whatever these Abu Sayyaf members did wrong, that was not the teaching of Islam)," he said.
"Yan ang mensahe na aming pinadala kay Sen. de Lima na isang Bikolano din ako, na talagang ako ay nalungkot din at nabigla din at nagpapasalamat din po sa PNP sa aking kababayan na Igorot na naging bayani sa pangyayaring ito (That is the message I wanted to relay to Senator de Lima who like me is a Bicolano. I was saddened and surprised over what happened. But I thank the PNP and my fellow Igorot who played the hero's role)," he added, referring to P/Cpl. Roger Agustin, who was wounded in Sunday's incident.
Padilla said he discussed the possibility of home furlough for De Lima but PNP chief P/Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the former senator chose to stay in Camp Crame. "Kaya nirerespeto natin yan (So we respect that)," he said.
He also thanked Azurin for his public apology over the improper use of the word "Muslim" by some policemen in referring to the hostage-takers.
Padilla said Azurin did not need to give an apology, yet was humble enough to do so.