CHR says PNP handling of De Lima excessive

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has called out the Philippine National Police over what the agency said was unfair treatment of detained Sen. Leila De Lima.

In a statement, the CHR said excessive use of force in escorting De Lima was “a stark contrast” to how other high profile detainees were being treated.

While other political personalities were able to move freely and grant media interviews despite their detention, De Lima has “consistently been heavily guarded and covered by police escorts with their extended hands in an attempt to hide her from the public and media during her attendance at court hearings.”

“This visual is a stark contrast to how the police handle other high profile personalities accused of crimes,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.

Drug case

De Lima has been detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City for almost two years now over drug charges.

She has repeatedly denied the charges and said they were trumped up in retaliation for her investigation of killings under the watch of President Rodrigo Duterte.