Senator Leila De Lima was arrested Friday afternoon on drug charges, following yesterday's issuance of the warrant by the Regional Trial Court in Muntinlupa City.
De Lima has denied the charges, which she said were part of an attempt by President Rodrigo Duterte to muzzle critics of his crackdown, which has left more than 7,000 drug suspects dead.
She questioned why the court suddenly issued the arrest order when it was scheduled Friday to hear her petition to void the three non-bailable charges.
“If they think they can silence me, if they think I will no longer fight for my advocacies, specially on the truth on the daily killings and other intimidations of this Duterte regime, it’s my honor to be jailed for what I’ve been fighting for,” she said before policemen took her into custody at the Senate.
Social media went into a frenzy even before her arrest and after the warrant was issued.
DENOUNCE
De Lima's partymates slammed the "political persecution" against her, using the hashtag #OneForLeila, saying the charges have no basis.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan, posted on his Facebook account: Please share as a sign of our outrage against political persecution. #OneForLeila
Meanwhile, Senator Bam Aquino said: "Clearly, there is something wrong with this picture. But this is our new reality."
We condemn the use of our justice system to silence and condemn political rivals and critics. #OneForLeila pic.twitter.com/fCjzcILY0A— Bam Aquino (@bamaquino) February 23, 2017
Singer Jim Paredes, meanwhile, said De Lima's arrest is a "temporary diversion" to the upcoming Senate hearing on extrajudicial killings.
DeLima's arrest is a temporary diversion. Dut still has to face 2 witnesses who accuse him of murder. Justice for all #LetLascanasTestify— Jim (@Jimparedes) February 23, 2017
The hearing on EJK comes after SPO3 Arthur Lascañas admitted monday the existence of the alleged Davao Death Squad, which is in conflict with his previous testimony at the Senate.
Activist priest Fr. Robert Reyes, a close friend of De Lima, said people should remember her arrest during the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
REJOICE
De Lima's detractor were triumphant over the news of her arrest.
Blogger and former sexy-performer Mocha Usan, who is now a Board Member of Movie Television Review and Classification Board Member and a die-hard Duterte supported, said once the charges are proven, no one will stand with De Lima.
"Sa oras na mapatunayan ang involvement ni Sen. De Lima sa kalakaran ng ilegal na droga, ang "OneForLeila" ay magiging #NoneForLeila," she wrote.
Political analyst and blogger Sass Sasot, also a known Duterte supporter, criticized De Lima for her bitter reaction to the arrest warrant.
"I miss the time when Gloria was arrested. Naka upo lang si madame, enduring everything, dignity in silence. Itong si Leila kulang na lang bumuga ng apoy," Sasot said.
Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is currently facing plunder charges filed by then-Justice Secretary De Lima, slammed De Lima for not surrendering directly to authorities.
(READ: De Lima Might Join Revilla and Estrada in Jail)
Source: CNN Philippines
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