De Lima bats for a compensation fund for EJK victims

Former Sen. Leila de Lima sits beside former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at a House hearing on the drug war in November 2024. —File photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta | Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Leila De Lima, now a Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list first nominee, is pushing for a compensation fund for victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) committed under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.

She said this after Duterte was arrested on Tuesday under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for the former president’s crimes against humanity case.

“The ML party-list is advocating for a bill that will establish an EJK victims’ compensation fund. It aims to give support and care for the families left grieving because of the indiscriminate killings under the previous administration,” De Lima said in Filipino in a video message on Wednesday evening.

The former senator addressed the families of EJK victims:  “We want to tell you that you are not alone in this fight. We are with you in searching for justice and rising from the bitter past.”

READ: De Lima to Duterte: It’s your time to face charges

De Lima was an outspoken critic of Duterte’s bloody crackdown on illegal drugs, earning the then-president’s ire.

She was jailed in 2017 on allegations of involvement in the illegal drug trade but was cleared of the charges against her and finally set free in 2024.

When Duterte was held in custody by police on Tuesday, De Lima said it was his turn to face his charges.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Rodrigo Duterte at The Hague

“Let us continue to help one another, be vigilant, and take a stand for a society that is humane, just, and genuine in loving every Filipino,” De Lima said.

Government data said around 6,000 people were killed during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, but human rights groups estimate that the death toll could be as high as 20,000.