MANILA – Sen. Leila de Lima taunted President Rodrigo Duterte for his order of transferring 10 inmates – who have testified against her – from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to the barracks of the Philippine Marines in Taguig City.
De Lima expressed disbelief over Duterte’s order to move the inmates out of the NBP due to her alleged threats.
“So, in Duterte’s twisted mind, I’m that powerful! So powerful that I can actually command my alleged NBP ‘allies’ to harm or assassinate their fellow inmates! This is insanity in its most diabolical form!” de Lima said.
She added the transfer shows the administration needs to “strike more clandestine deals” with the drug lords and give them special treatment to ensure her conviction.
“Aminin niyo na lang kasi na ang totoong dahilan sa paglipat niyo sa mga convicts-witnesses na ‘yan sa Philippine Marines HQ ay ito: For you and your equally evil operators to further control these witnesses in terms of pinning me down in the drug cases against me. Malapit na kasing isalang sa witness stand ang mga convicts-witnesses na ‘yan sa ongoing trial in my drug cases,” de Lima said.
Duterte on Friday said he ordered the transfer of 10 inmates out of the NBP as de Lima pose threat with her alleged “henchmen and witnesses” who could harm the convicts.
Among the inmates transferred to the Marine barracks were seven drug lords namely Hans Tan, Peter Co, Jojo Baligad, Vicente Sy, Froilan Trestiza, Nonilo Arile, and Joel Capones, who are testifying against de Lima in her drug-related cases./PN
