De Lima urges citizen’s arrest for Napoles

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday urged the public to “make a citizen’s arrest” on Janet Lim Napoles as she assured that “the long arm of the law” will get the alleged brains of the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“Nagaapela kami sa sambayanan: magtulung-tulong tayo dito. Pwede nga rito ang citizen’s arrest because this is imbued with public interest (We appeal to the public: let us help each other on this. Citizen’s arrest is in order…),” De Lima said.

The Justice Secretary also told media in an ambush interview at the National Bureau of Investigation that the President had the knowledge of the DOJ action before the warrants of arrest for Napoles and her brother Reynaldo Lim were issued by a Makati City Regional Trial Court.

“He was actually expecting that the team will arrest Napoles last night,” she explained.

She said that the warrant of arrest also serves as a hold departure order barring Napoles and her brother to leave the country.

She said the NBI will deploy four to six teams to hunt down the hiding Napoles and Lim who were charged with alleged serious illegal detention of the purported P10-billion pork scam whistle-blower Benhur K. Luy.

“We cannot let them escape this time. It’s time for them to face the music…,” said De Lima.

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