Senator Leila de Lima (INQUIRER file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday claimed that a convicted crime syndicate leader’s claims of a hidden exposé against her is just a way to ensure his survival.
De Lima, in a hand written statement sent out by her staff , said that the video released by Herbert Colanggo, who has testified against her in the drug-related charges she is facing, is a message to the current administration that he still has a purpose even in jail.
Colanggo released a video where he bared the supposed plan to transfer the supervision of witnesses against De Lima, including him, from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the Bureau of Corrections.
He claims that his life is in danger, leading him to plead with President Duterte to hear his concerns.
“The video rant of convicted murderer Herbert Colangco of RCBC Massacre infamy, now being disseminated by DDS social media sites, is his way of telling Duterte not to kill him yet because he still has a purpose to serve,” De Lima, who is still detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center, said.
“It is not surprising that Colangco made the video rant right after the death of convicted Calauan Mayor Sanchez inside Bilibid, again under mysterious circumstances just like Sebastian and a dozen other high-profile Bilibid convicts,” said. de Lima, who has been a staunch critic of Duterte even when he was still Davao City mayor.
“The talk among Bilibid inmates, as revealed by another Bilibid witness, Noel Martinez, in his testimony, is that some were the victims of “nacovid-covid”, or the Bilibid term for being killed under the pretext of getting infected with the Corona virus and immediately cremated to dispose of any evidence of the actual cause of death,” she added, claiming that cremation of the bodies would not reveal their true cause of death.
In the over 20-minute video, Colanggo said that De Lima has supporters retired from the active service who are desperately trying to silence him before the next hearings on the senator’s case takes place.
He claimed that De Lima wants him dead because he has an exposé that he concealed during the past hearings both in court and in Congressional inquiries, because it was requested by his ex-girlfriend and former Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog, who is currently detained due to illegal possession of firearms charges.
But according to De Lima, Colanggo seems to be enjoying better quarters since he testified against her.
“What is more evident is his cavalier demonstration of the perks he is enjoying now as a DOJ witness, including cellphones and apparently, access to the internet. These privileges are given to the killer of RCBC employees in exchange for his perjured testimony against me,” she added.