FILE PHOTO: Former Senator Leila de Lima, a fierce critic of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, has been in detention since February 2017 on drug charges she repeatedly denied and branded as fabricated. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Leila de Lima on Thursday expressed gratitude to Senator Robinhood Padilla for checking on her in Camp Crame after a foiled attempt by a detainee to hold her hostage last Sunday.
Padilla visited de Lima on Wednesday at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital, where she is currently confined. She complained of chest pain following what she described as “very alarming and near-death” during a hostage attempt inside the PNP Custodial Center on October 9.
De Lima was held at knifepoint by fellow detainee Feliciano Sulayao Jr., who, along with two other cohorts, was later shot dead by responding police agents. Police said Abu Sayyaf Group members Sulayao, Arnel Cabintoy, and Idang Susukan attempted to escape the detention facility and tried to take hostage de Lima in the process.
READ: De Lima survives hostage-taking attempt; hostage-taker gunned down
De Lima said Padilla was accompanied by his staff, and brother Rommel and broadcaster Rey Langit during the hospital visit.
“It is my first time seeing & talking to him personally (which lasted for more than half an hr), and it’s a little bit surreal & disconcerting that the topic of our 1st meeting is the very alarming & near-death incident last Sun[day]. Ni sa imahinasyon ay di ko naisip na mangyayari ‘yun,” she said in a statement.
(Never in my imagination have I thought about that happening.)
“Thank you for your concern and kindness, Sen. Robin. Thank you for the sincerity in listening as I recount that terrible experience of mine and for personally checking on my condition,” De Lima added.
In an earlier statement, Padilla said he visited De Lima to explain to her that the actions of the Abu Sayyaf members were not part of the teachings of Islam.
He also said he had discussed the possibility of home furlough for de Lima, but Philippine National Police chief Gen. Adolfo Azurin Jr. said the former senator chose to stay in Camp Crame.