Nababahala ang European Liberals mula sa world federation at progressive democratic political parties sa sinapit ni Senator Leila de Lima, na inaresto nitong Biyernes at nakakulong na ngayon sa Camp Crame sa Quezon City.

Tiniyak ni Hans van Baalen na ilalatag niya ang nangyari kay De Lima, na miyembro ng Liberal Party-Philippines, kay European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini.

“The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats Europe Party is deeply concerned about the arrest of the Liberal Party senator Leila de Lima in particular and the deteriorating human rights situation in general. The Philippines, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, is turning rapidly into an illiberal state, where there is no respect for the law whatsoever. I have asked written questions to HRVP Mogherini in order to see what action the EU can take,” ani Baalen.

Nakapiit ngayon si De Lima sa Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center sa Crame, matapos arestuhin nitong Biyernes sa bisa ng arrest warrant sa tatlong kaso ng paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act kaugnay ng pagkakasangkot umano sa bentahan ng droga sa National Bilibid Prison (NBP) noong kalihim pa ito ng Department of Justice (DoJ).

Metro

MANIBELA magkakasa ng libreng sakay sa Pasko at Bagong Taon

Nanawagan din ang isang grupo ng mga Liberal sa administrasyon na agad palayain si De Lima.

“Leila de Lima is a highly respected human rights activist fighting against corruption and for the rule of law when she was the Minister of Justice and now as an elected member of the Senate of the Philippines. The president of the Philippines must respect and defend the laws of his country and human rights. That is his obligation towards his own people. Liberals across the world will stand up for Leila de Lima’s immediate release,” sabi ni Markus Loniing, chairman ng Liberal International Human Rights Committee at dating Commissioner for Human Rights ng Germany.

Samantala, binisita kahapon ni Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Chito Gascon si De Lima sa Custodial Center.

Ayon kay Gascon, muntik na siyang hindi papasukin dahil hinanapan pa siya ng mission order ng mga nagbabantay sa Custodial Center, kung hindi sa tulong ng ilang kaibigan niya sa PNP. (Leonel M. Abasola at Rommel P. Tabbad)