Former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima Granted Bail After Seven Years Amidst Controversial “War on Drugs”
A Philippine court on Monday granted bail to Leila de Lima, a former senator and vocal critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs,” marking a significant development after her nearly seven years in jail on charges she consistently refuted.
De Lima, 64, had faced various charges since 2017, shortly after initiating a Senate inquiry into Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign, known for its brutal methods resulting in the deaths of thousands of users and dealers either by police or under mysterious circumstances.
Expressing her relief outside the court, De Lima stated, “Finally, I will be freed,” emphasizing the years of yearning for justice and freedom. The charges against her, including conspiracy to trade narcotics, were rooted in Duterte’s accusations of collusion with drug gangs during her tenure as justice minister. Two out of three cases against De Lima have been dismissed, and she sought bail in the remaining case on health grounds, a request the court granted on Monday.
Maintaining her innocence, De Lima has consistently asserted that the charges were baseless and politically motivated. Her lawyer, Filibon Tacardon, indicated that she could be released from prison later on the same day. Human rights groups have accused Duterte of inciting violence, alleging that police engaged in the murder of unarmed drug suspects and staged crime scenes on a large scale during the anti-drug campaign. Despite consistent denials from the police, Duterte maintained that law enforcement was instructed to use lethal force only in self-defense.
