US Senate staff visit De Lima at PNP Custodial Center

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said a team of United States (US) Senate staff on Thursday visited former senator Leila de Lima who is detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

In a statement, the PNP said Chris Homan, senior adviser on national security and foreign policy of US Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, and some US Embassy personnel visited De Lima at 9:40 a.m.

A court order issued by NCJR, RTC Branch 256 and 204 allowed Homan and three others to visit the former senator.

PNP Custodial Center chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Larry Gabion informed the visitors on the adjusted security measures at the facility following the hostage-taking incident involving De Lima in October.

He also told them that PNP doctors have been regularly monitoring De Lima’s health condition and that it was the senator’s decision to remain at the facility despite offers of transfer.

De Lima is confined in a separate living quarters where she has her own basic furniture and fixtures, according to the PNP. She is facing drug-related charges, which she has since described as political persecution by the former administration.

The PNP said the visit was finished around 10:20 a.m.

“The visit was coordinated by the US Embassy in Manila and duly approved by the PNP Acting Chief of Directorial Staff, Police Major General Michael John Dubria, upon compliance with all the requirements and necessary security protocols,” the PNP said.

In August, a delegation of US lawmakers led by Senator Edward Markey also visited De Lima. The eight-man delegation spent over an hour at the PNP Custodial Center.

In May, Senators Markey, Marco Rubio, Dick Durbin, Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, and Patrick Leahy called for the immediate release of De Lima after some key witnesses recanted some allegations against her in connection with her drug cases.

“Clearly, the bogus charges against her were, as we suspected all along, politically-motivated and based on false information. That she has lost five years in jail due to these spurious charges is a travesty,” they said.

“She should be released immediately and any remaining charges should be dropped without further delay,” they added. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News