Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno, a human rights lawyer who chairs the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) said Senator Leila De Lima considers herself as "the first political prisoner under the Duterte adminstration."
The statement came out shortly after De Lima's arrest warrant was issued by Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, Thursday, for the lady senator's alleged orchestration of drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison while she was still justic secretary.
Hearing De Lima's description of herself, being the first political detainee of the administration, Diokno congratulated her in a rather sarcastic tone against the government. He explained that De Lima's case would emphasize how the current dispensation had been trampling on people's rights.
Diokno called on the public to "stand up and make their voices heard" now that people's rights are being put in "jeopardy."
Diokno is one of De Lima's lawyers. On De Lima's behalf, he filed a writ of habeas data to test the presidential immunity of President Rodrigo Duterte over his sexual harassment and threats against the lady senator.
He said De Lima's arrest would have a "chilling effect" on anyone who would oppose the policies of the administration.
“Some people will be more reluctant to voice out their opinion after this arrest,” he said. “Although personally, I would also say that, on the other hand, it may also spur other people to gain courage and start speaking out. If a senator of the republic can be arrested just like that, then all of our rights are in jeopardy and it’s about time that we stand up and make our voices heard.”
Diokno described De Lima's case as "atypical," where the charges were based on testimonies of convicted felons at the NBP.
“We have a situation where supposedly because of the House (of Representatives) inquiry, evidence was produced,” he said. “But there are a lot of questions on how this came into being because here you have as main witnesses who are admittedly criminals, people who come from no less than the national penitentiary.”
“And in my experience as a lawyer, those kinds of witnesses are the least that we would want to believe,” he added. “And yet it would appear that on the basis of their say so a senator of the republic is being put in jail. That is very worrisome.”
Diokno admitted that he was "shocked and surprised" by the issuance of the arrest warrant, but said it could still be questioned.
“In the meantime while the warrant is there, she may have no choice but to agree to it,” he said.
Source / Video: Inquirer
Image: The Philippine Star | Inquirer
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