Caritas Philippines president Kidapawan Bishop Colin Bagaforo has expressed support for the call to release Senator Leila de Lima from prison.
The former Senator, the bishop noted, has been incarcerated for six years despite the absence of concrete evidence against her on her connections to illegal drugs.
“We urge the Philippine government to uphold the rule of law and respect the rights of all citizens, including former Senator Leila de Lima,” said Bishop Bagaforo over Radio Veritas.
The Church leader said the government must ensure fair treatment to all who had been accused including the former senator.
“We urge the Philippine government to ensure that she receives a fair and transparent trial in which the evidence is objectively weighed and the legal process is followed according to the law. We also urge all parties involved in the case to exercise restraint and act in accordance with due process and fairness,” stressed Bishop Bagaforo.
The prelate cited the need for all sectors of society to unite to ensure a fair, peaceful, just and orderly co-existence in a country where justice and the protection of human rights prevail.
“We should collaborate to create a society that is just and peaceful, where the rights and freedoms of all citizens are safeguarded and honored. We strongly urge the government to follow the due process to release her from detention, as this would be a significant step in the right direction,” said Bishop Bagaforo.
A known critic of former President Duterte, Senator De Lima has been in jail since Feb. 24, 2017 allegedly due to her involvement in illegal drugs. (Christina Hermoso)