De Lima on claims she protects, finances Abus: ‘Totally insane’

Senator Leila de Lima. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Leila de Lima on Monday branded as “totally insane” and “outrageously ridiculous” the latest allegations that she was a protector and financier of Abu Sayyaf members.

“This latest accusation that I am a protector and financier of terrorists is not only totally insane but also outrageously ridiculous! It only exposes at how this administration could bend so low at digging in the imagined dirt that it fails to see the public laughing at them,” De Lima said in a statement.

She said she was already too exhausted and disgusted at the administration’s “obsession for manufactured lies and malicious conjectures to smear my integrity and damage my name.”

“Sadly, some hapless pawns are more than willing to play in this vicious game of political persecution and character assassination,” the senator said.

“But what is getting clearer to me and to most good people I know is that the administration’s demolition job against its political opponents is sinking to a new low to hide its own incompetence and recklessness to address more pressing national problems,” De Lima added.

The senator issued the statement in response to reports that she and four others have been charged in connection with the release of Mohammad Sali Said, Jul Ahmad Ahadi and Robin Sahiyal from the Special Intensive Care Area of Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on February 15, 2013.

READ: DOJ orders release of 18 suspected Sayyaf men wrongfully accused of kidnapping

De Lima, along with former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan, Mehol Sadain, Wendell Sotto, and Ediwasif Baddiri allegedly violated Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10168 or ”The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012” for knowingly and directly aiding, protecting, providing shelter, transportation and legal services and financing the release of the three prisoners. RAM/rga