Transfer of inmates who testified vs De Lima sounds sinister to senator

MANILA, Philippines—Duterte critic Sen. Leila de Lima said she saw a sinister plot in the transfer of 10 high-risk inmates, including those who were used as witnesses against her, to the Marine barracks in Taguig City.

In a dispatch from her detention cell in Camp Crame, De Lima said she believed the “real reason” for the transfer of the inmates, convicted of drug crimes, was “for my oppressors” to “further coach and coerce or pressure them to stick to their perjured testimonies” against the senator.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had revealed that the 10 inmates were being transferred from the New Bilibid Prison to the Marine barracks for “security reasons.”

READ: Guevarra justifies transfer of 10 high-profile convicts from Bilibid

De Lima said she found the transfer “highly suspicious.”

She said Guevarra seemed to imply that the inmates were under threat by her. “Baloney! Hilarious!” De Lima said.

De Lima is currently detained at the Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City for three drug cases for alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drug trade in NBP./tsb