No visitors allowed as De Lima celebrates her 63rd birthday

Former Sen. Leila de Lima (File photo from her Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — No visitors were allowed into the detention cell of former Sen. Leila de Lima on Saturday as she celebrated her 63rd birthday.

This angered those who went to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame hoping to mark the event with her.

Among them were economist Solita “Winnie” Monsod and husband Christian Monsod, a former Commission on Elections chairman; former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and former senatorial candidate Chel Diokno.

“It is OUTRAGEOUS! We were on our way to visit Leila de Lima on her birthday when our request made weeks ago was just now VERBALLY disapproved,” Monsod said in a Twitter post. “Too much! She’s not convicted, not allowed a phone, and now this!”

Supporters of De Lima celebrated her birthday instead through a virtual event on Saturday.

Her supporters, including former Vice President Leni Robredo and ordinary citizens, could only post their greetings on her Facebook account.

Her brother, Vicente “Vicboy” de Lima, read the following message from her:

“I never knew birthdays can be sad. Now, I admit I spend my birthday mornings thinking about what I would be doing if I was free. I worry that the longer I stay here, I might lose track of the days. So I count my birthdays like I count my days in detention so as not to forget that each day and each birthday brings me close to my freedom and vindication.”

De Lima, a staunch critic of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, has been in detention since February 2017 for what she repeatedly branded as “trumped-up” drug charges.

Last Aug. 16, De Lima marked her 2,000 days in jail.

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