MANILA, Philippines — The conviction of a Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) organizer should compel Filipinos to keep fighting for truth and justice amid the relentless political persecution of the Duterte administration, detained Senator Leila de Lima said Wednesday.
De Lima was reacting to the case of KMU organizer Marklen Maojo Maga, who was sentenced to a maximum of 14 years in prison after found guilty of illegal gun possession.
READ: KMU organizer sentenced for illegal firearm possession
De Lima pointed out how under the Duterte administration, thieves and plunderers remain free, and criminals become “state witnesses” while the poor are convicted and killed, and government critics are jailed.
“Instead of allowing ourselves to be silenced by this relentless political persecution of the Duterte regime, this should further compel us to keep fighting for truth and justice,” De Lima said in a dispatch from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame where is she is currently being detained on drug charges.
She also mentioned how heartbroken she is upon seeing a photo of Maga’s son, Li Boy, hugging his mother on hearing the court’s decision on his father.
“Sa mga larawang ito, hindi ko maiwasang isipin kung gaano pa kaya karaming anak na gaya ni Li Boy, ang nananawagan para sa kalayaan ng mga magulang na maituturing na bilanggong politikal,” the senator said.
“Ilang libong bata kaya ang hanggang ngayon ay labis na nangungulila at sumisigaw ng katarungan sa pagpatay sa kanilang ama o ina bunsod ng palpak na War on Drugs ni Duterte?,” she added.
De Lima urged Filipinos to make Li Boy as an inspiration and strength in fighting against injustice.
“Gawin po nating inspirasyon at lakas ang mga tulad ni Li Boy, at ang marami pang inosenteng bata, na sa murang edad ay nananawagan na ng hustisya at pananagutan mula sa mapaniil at marahas na gobyerno,” she said.
“Palayain ang mga inosente at panagutin ang mga tunay na kriminal!,” De Lima added. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)