Senator Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Father Albert Alejo, who was tagged in an alleged plot to overthrow the President, might just have been one of the victims of “Bikoy’s” lies, Senator Leila de Lima said on Tuesday.
“Si Fr. Alejo ay maaaring isa lamang din sa mga biktima ng mga kasinungalingan ni ‘Bikoy’ pero hindi ito dahilan para sisihin ang mga alagad ng Simbahan katulad niya kung ipatupad man nila ang kanilang obligasyon sa kapwa na humihingi ng gabay at kalinga,” De Lima said in a dispatch from Camp Crame where she is currently detained.
The senator, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, added that painting Alejo as part of the supposed ouster plot was “unfair.”
“Paring Bert is yet to speak up on this allegation against him, that’s why I find it unfair that he is [being] painted in a bad light as he continuously fights for what is true and just,” she said.
A man named Peter Joemel Advincula, who earlier claimed to be the hooded narrator in the controversial “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, initially went into hiding but eventually surrendered to police last week.
READ: Peter ‘Bikoy’ Advincula in police custody — PNP
Advincula had claimed that allegations made against relatives and allies of President Rodrigo Duterte in the series of videos were lies orchestrated by the Liberal Party and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
READ: ‘Bikoy’ says claims in narco videos are lies, tags LP, Trillanes
Advincula said that Alejo introduced him to Trillanes.
Trillanes recently admitted that Advincula had approached him through priests last year.
But the senator did not identify the priests who brought Advincula to him.
READ: Trillanes admits ‘Bikoy’ approached him last year
De Lima, meanwhile, pointed out that it is the moral duty of men of the church to assist individuals seeking their refuge, especially those who fear for their lives.
“Sa panahon ngayon kung kailan ginigipit at kinokontrol ng gobyerno ang mga ahensya at institusyon na dapat sana’y nangangalaga at nagtatanggol sa karapatan ng mamamayan, saan nga ba maaaring humingi ng tulong at proteksyon ang mga indibidwal na nangangamba para sa kanilang buhay?” she said.
De Lima further noted that Alejo, who is one of her spiritual advisers and a personal friend, is “someone who is willing to sacrifice himself and his safety to uncover the truth and save Filipinos from imminent danger.”
The opposition senator also reiterated that the only way to know the truth behind Advincula and his claims is to use “reason and discernment” and to dig deeper.
READ: De Lima: ‘Bikoy’ turnaround should not stop Senate probe
De Lima had earlier denied having any links with Advincula, saying that she and her staff members has never “met or talked to him, or otherwise dealt with him.” (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)