De Lima slams crackdown on Duterte critics

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Leila de Lima on Monday slammed law enforcers’ crackdown on critics of President Rodrigo Duterte and the administration, describing it as an assault on the fundamental freedom of expression.

De Lima said she was disturbed by this development, which has led to warrantless and baseless arrests.

“This is not the right time—and there is no right time—for the leaders of government to be this shallow and onion-skinned,” De Lima said in a statement.

The government should focus on the health crisis from the new coronavirus instead of going after critics, she said.

“Do they think arresting the critics would make the problems go away?” she added.

She also noted that compassion is sought when allies of the President violate laws, but critics are punished and jailed immediately.

Law enforcers had arrested individuals who had criticized and who had offered rewards for the killing of The President.