Sen. Leila De Lima.
(File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquier)
MANILA, Philippines—Are they truthful or are we being duped?
Senator Leila de Lima asked this Friday as she pushed for an investigation into the “disturbing” claims of dismissed police officer Eduardo Acierto and a certain “Bikoy” who linked President Rodrigo Duterte’s family and his allies in the illegal drug trade.
De Lima issued the statement after the Senate decided to call off the investigation into the claims of Peter Joemel Advincula, the man who surfaced and claimed to be “Bikoy.”
READ: Lacson scraps Senate probe on ‘Bikoy:’ Enough of this nonsense
In a series of videos entitled “Ang Totoong Narcolist,” a hooded man who identified himself as “Bikoy” tagged Presidential son Paolo Duterte, and former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go of involvement in the narcotics trade.
“Truth-seeking has become my second nature. Wala po akong takot o pag-aalinlangan sa paghahanap at pagpapairal sa katotohanan,” De Lima said in a statement.
“That’s my sole aim in asking our authorities to investigate the disturbing claims of Acierto and “Bikoy.” Are they truthful or are we being duped?” she added.
The senator said the “truth is paramount no matter where it leads us.”
“Only those who fear the truth will back away from it. I do not fear the truth,” the former justice secretary stressed.
In a press briefing Wednesday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Advincula also linked former President Benigno Aquino III, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and De Lima to illegal drug activities in 2016.
READ: Man claiming to be ‘Bikoy’ linked Aquino to drugs – Sotto
De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade happening at the New Bilibid Prisons, an allegation she had denied.
“Sa sitwasyon ko, sangkatutak man ang mga kasinungalingan na nagdadawit sa akin sa illegal drug trade, hinding hindi nito mababago ang katotohanan na ako ay inosente,” De Lima said.
“I am fearless because I am innocent,” she added. /jpv