Noy visits Leila at Crame

MANILA, Philippines - Former president Benigno Aquino III visited Sen. Leila de Lima at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday afternoon.

In a news briefing, PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said that Aquino arrived at around 1:45 p.m. With Aquino was his executive assistant Joseph Casimiro.

Security was tight as media representatives were barred from getting near the detention facility and were not allowed to take photographs.

Around 20 policemen were stationed outside the facility while Aquino was inside.

Aquino’s former press undersecretary Rey Marfil said the former president stayed for two hours and left at around 4:15 p.m.

Details about what Aquino and De Lima talked about were not immediately available.

De Lima has been detained at the custodial center since Feb. 24 after the Muntinlupa City regional trial court issued an arrest warrant against her.

A staunch critic of President Duterte and his war on illegal drugs, De Lima won in the May 2016 national elections under the Liberal Party.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa earlier said he has no problem if Aquino wanted to visit De Lima.

“Anybody can visit, provided the senator allows the visitor,” he said.

Handwritten letter

Six days into her detention, De Lima has started feeling the pain of being incarcerated for something she insists she did not do.

In a handwritten letter to her loved ones, which was disseminated by her office, De Lima said that while she was “psychologically prepared for this, my whole being cries out for truth and justice.”

“My heart also bleeds for all the other victims of injustice, those who were also falsely accused and now cramped in severely congested jails,” De Lima said in her letter.

“But God, who is all-knowing and infinitely good and just, will make sure that evil will not triumph. I pray for more strength and fortitude. Let’s all be strong. Love you all,” she added.

In a separate statement, De Lima said that she has used her time in detention for reflection, and while this has led to some questions, it has also made her more determined to perform her duties to the nation.

De Lima maintained her innocence on the charges raised against her and said that she was punished for doing her job.