Photo Courtesy of Ka Leody De Guzman Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate and labor leader Leody de Guzman on Wednesday called for the release of detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima.
De Guzman made the remark in reaction to the Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) statement which urged presidential bets to pledge to drop all charges against De Lima.
“Matagal na akong naniniwala na biktima ng malisyosong atake si Senadora Leila de Lima ng rehimeng malupit sa mga dukha, at gayundin sa mga pampulitikang oposisyon,” he said in a statement.
(For a long time, I believe that Senator Leila de Lima is a victim of a malicious attack by a regime that is cruel to the poor and opposition politics.)
“Patuloy din tayong naninindigan at nanawagan na dapat itigil ang harassment sa kanya at agad palayin para makapiling ang kanyang ina at pamilya,” the labor leader went on.
(We continue to stand and appeal to stop the harassment of her and immediately free her to be with her mother and family.)
De Lima has been behind bars since 2017 for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.
The HRW said that the drug charges are politically motivated “in retaliation for her criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and other serious human rights violations.”
In February 2021, De Lima was acquitted in one of the three drug charges filed against her.
De Lima is seeking another term in the Senate.