De Lima allowed Christmas, New Year’s Day visit by relatives

Relatives of Senator Leila de Lima have been allowed to visit her in detention on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

In an advisory on Thursday, De Lima’s office said the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame Quezon City has allowed her relatives to visit her from 8:00 a.m. of Dec. 24 to 1:00 a.m. of Dec. 25, and on Christmas day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The detained senator was also permitted to be visited by her relatives starting 8:00 a.m. of Dec. 31 until 1:00 a.m. of Jan. 1, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

De Lima is being held at the custodial center since February for drug-related charges.

During the International Human Rights Day last December 10, De Lima said human rights workers were barred from visiting her “despite complying with the PNP’s 10-day prior notice rule.”

That instance was the 4th time De Lima’s foreign visitors were not allowed to visit her, according to the senator’s office.                    /kga