MANILA – Senator Leila de Lima on Friday expressed gratitude over the European Parliament’s move to call for her immediate release, saying this is not at all an intrusion into the Philippines’ domestic affairs.
“I’m deeply heartened by the collective initiative undertaken by the European Parliament in calling for my immediate release; condemning the rising incidence of EJKs (extrajudicial killings) and pushing for an independent international investigation into such unlawful killings and other violations under the Duterte regime’s brutal war on drugs,” De Lima said in a statement written from her detention cell.
The members of the European Parliament (MEPs), in a resolution, called "for the immediate release of Senator Leila M. De Lima and for her to be provided with adequate security whilst in detention."
They also strongly condemned "the high number of extrajudicial killings by the armed forces and vigilante groups related to the anti-drug campaign."
The MEPs said they felt "grave concern over credible reports to the effect that the Philippine police force is falsifying evidence to justify extrajudicial killings," the resolution added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and allies of President Rodrigo Duterte said the European Parliament’s call was clearly an intrusion into a purely Philippine domestic affair.
De Lima, however, believes otherwise.
“This latest action from an international body (following similar statements from other reputable global organizations) is but a tangible proof that the rest of the world do care about what’s happening in our country today,” she said.
“It’s not at all an interference with our country’s affairs but rather an aggregate assertion of the universal values of truth, justice and humanity.” - with AFP