De Lima to attend hearing on drug charges a day after hostage-taking incident

Former senator Leila de Lima will attend the resumption of the hearing of the drug charges against her on Monday, a day after she was taken hostage at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In an advisory released through her Twitter page on Sunday, de Lima said she will attend the hearing at the Branch 256 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) scheduled at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.

“Earlier today, de Lima was hostaged by detainees who attempted to escape from the PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame,” the advisory read.

“She was fortunately unharmed, but the alarming and shocking incident amplifies anew the call to free her from unjust detention,” it added.

PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. earlier on Sunday said de Lima was taken hostage by three persons under police custody (PUPC) who were trying to escape.

The three PUPCs were identified as Arnel Cabintoy, Idang Susukan, and Feliciano Sulayao Jr. Sulayao was said to have run towards de Lima’s custodial cell and taken her hostage.

The PUPCs were reported to have been killed, after a police officer—identified as Police Corporal Roger Agustin—was stabbed while trying to contain the incident.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the PUPCs demanded a helicopter in their bid to escape the prison.

De Lima was jailed in 2017 on allegations of involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as Justice Secretary.

Key witnesses—including self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafaael Ragos—have since recanted their testimonies against de Lima.

Espinosa recanted his sworn statements during a Senate joint committee, saying that he was “coerced, pressured, intimidated, and seriously threatened” by the police to implicate the senator.

Ragos followed suit and retracted his claim, also saying that he was threatened by then-Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre into making false allegations against her. He also apologized and said she should be cleared of charges.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) in May said the retracted statements were “highly suspicious” and “questionable,” and that it is up to the court to decide if the recant could impact his previous testimonies.

Malacañang, under former President Rodrigo Duterte, said the public should let the law run its course, claiming that the case has “nothing to do with her views with the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs or her affiliation to the political opposition.”

Prior to her detainment, de Lima had been vocal against the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs, and said she was prepared to be the first “political prisoner” under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

For his part, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered to PNP to ensure that there will be no repeat of any violence in its facilities after the incident on Sunday.

Marcos in a tweet also said he will speak to de Lima to check her status, and to ask if she wishes to be transferred to another detention center.

Following this morning’s incident at Camp Crame, I will be speaking to Senator De Lima to check on her condition and to ask if she wishes to be transferred to another detention center.

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) October 9, 2022

— BM, GMA News