De Lima thanks supporters for calls for her release after Kerwin retraction

Detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Saturday thanked supporters who called for her release after confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa took back his allegations against her in connection with illegal drugs.

According to a “24 Oras Weekend” report, De Lima said the clamor for justice intensified after Espinosa disowned his sworn statements during the Senate joint committee hearings on the killing of his father Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., saying he was “coerced, pressured, intimidated and seriously threatened” by the police to implicate the detained senator.

Among the human rights groups called for De Lima’s release are Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International Philippines, and lawyer Theodore Te.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said the retraction of Espinosa has no bearing on the cases against De Lima.

Malcontento said Espinosa was not a witness in the case against De Lima.

He added that the action of Espinosa has no effect on the cases that are filed against De Lima.

The prosecutor general also urged Espinosa to reveal the names of individuals who allegedly made him bear false witness. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA News