WATCH: De Lima checks in at hospital for 24-hour medical furlough
MANILA, Philippines—Detained opposition Sen. Leila de Lima on Thursday (Feb. 11) went on a 24-hour medical furlough, according to a report by Radyo Inquirer.
A heavily-guarded convoy carrying the lawmaker arrived at the Manila Doctors Hospital.
A handful of supporters gathered near the hospital to show support for the senator, who had been detained since 2017 on drug charges that she said were trumped up.
“I always go to wherever Ma’am Leila is,” said Nanette Castillo, a supporter of De Lima, speaking in Filipiino.
“I support her struggle. As someone who lost a child to EJK, I see her as someone who fights for human rights,” Castillo said.
The furlough has been requested as far back as 2018, De Lima’s counsel Rolly Peoro earlier said.
De Lima, a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, is facing charges for her alleged participation in the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison, the country’s main jail facility. Convicts had been used as witnesses to pin down De Lima, who as former justice secretary, had supervision of national government jails.
De Lima consistently denied the allegations.
