Palace: Arrest order vs De Lima a ‘fulfillment’ of war on drugs

Malacañang welcomed Thursday the issuance of an arrest order against Sen. Leila de Lima as a “fulfillment” of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

“The issuance of a warrant for the arrest of Senator De Lima is a major step forward in the administration’s anti-drug war,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

“It is a fulfillment of the campaign promise of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to rid Philippine society of drugs, crime and corruption,” Abella added.

The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued on Thursday de Lima’s arrest warrant over charges of illegal drugs filed aginst her.

Abella said the arrest of de Lima “demonstrates the President’s strong resolve to fight pushers, peddlers and their protectors and that his government will not yield until the last pusher and trader are out of the streets victimizing the Filipino youth.”

“This we owe to the Filipino youth and the future generations for whom we build a nation worthy of Filipinos; and Filipinos worthy of the nation,” he said.

De Lima is facing drug charges in connection with her alleged involvement in illegal drugs when she was still a justice secretary. /atm

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