NEW YORK-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday reiterated its call for the Philippine government to drop what it has tagged as “politically motivated” charges against Senator Leila M. de Lima, who marks her first year in detention on the 24th. “Everyday that (President Rodrigo R.) Duterte keeps De Lima in jail, he undermines Philippine democracy. Senators and representatives, whatever their political views, should be calling for her release,” HRW deputy Asia director Phelim Kine said in a statement. Ms. De Lima was arrested on Feb. 24, 2017 due to her alleged involvement to the illegal drug trade inside the National Bilibid Prison while she was the Justice secretary. Several groups supporting the detained senator, one of the staunchest critics of Mr. Duterte, flocked to the Senate early Wednesday to make a similar call. Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, however, condemned the HRW’s statement, saying that the “meddling” group was misleading the public and mocking the integrity of the justice system. ”Senator De Lima is being portrayed as a prisoner of conscience, a so-called martyr for justice. She is none of these; she is facing charges of criminal nature, plain and simple,” he said in a statement. — Camille A. Aguinaldo
