Senator Leila de Lima. AP
Interior Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno gave strict orders to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to make sure that Senator Leila de Lima will be safe and secure in PNP’s hands.
“I have given clear instructions to Police Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa to secure Senator De Lima while she is at the PNP Custodial Center,” Sueno said in statement on Friday following the arrest of the senator.
Sueno also told Dela Rosa to ensure that “utmost courtesy” will be given to De Lima by the members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who will be doing the arrest.
Sueno’s directive came amid concerns on the safety of De Lima inside Camp Crame, the PNP’s headquarters, where South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo was killed late last year.
READ: Palace assures De Lima’s safety after arrest
“Senator De Lima’s security and safety is also our concern and so we would like to assure everyone that she will be treated in accordance with established procedures and existing laws,” Sueno said.
READ: Aquino worried about De Lima’s safety
De Lima, facing what she claimed were “railroaded” drug charges, earlier turned herself in to the CIDG at the Senate.IDL
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