(Eagle News) — Senator Leila de Lima was placed in detention at the Philippine National Police headquarters on Friday, closing the book on a political drama that began unfolding on national television since she was ordered arrested the day before.
De Lima was immediately taken to Camp Crame after Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero issued a commitment order for her to be holed up at the custodial center while her drug-related case was being heard.
The custodial center is where two other senators–Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla—are being detained after their arrest for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam several years ago.
Ronnie Dayan, De Lima’s co-accused in the drug-related case lodged in Guerrero’s sala, was for his part, detained at the Muntinlupa Police Station.
In a press conference, Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesperson, said based on regulations of the center, De Lima’s lawyer could have access to her “24/7.”
Members of her family, meanwhile, could see her during “visiting hours.”
“(The rest) who would like to go there have to write the chief PNP (Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa),” he said.
De Lima’s and Dayan’s arrest on Friday were in connection with their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison.
The senator is facing two other drug-related cases in Branches 205 and 206.
“De Lima is not like any other high-profile accused. She put behind bars many people, many are angry, so her security is a primary concern,” Liberal Party president Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said.
He added it was “no joke” that people had been killed in the PNP headquarters.
But Alex Padilla, De Lima’s spokesperson, said that she no longer had problems being detained in Camp Crame after the PNP “assured (them) that (they were) really secure.”
De Lima’s other co-accused in the case at Branch 204, Ronnie Dayan, her alleged bagman and former lover,
and Rafael Ragos, former chief of the Bureau of Corrections.
De Lima is facing two other drug-related cases in Branches 205 and 206, and another case in a Quezon City court.
Her arrest stems from a case lodged against her for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison.
She faces two other drug-related cases in Branches 205 and 206.
