THE Philippine National Police should not be blamed for the failure of several personalities to join the weekend birthday celebration of former senator Leila de Lima, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.
DOJ spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said the group led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros should have obtained a court order allowing them to visit De Lima.
“Since the matter is with the courts, there must be a court order to visit. Similar to US Senator Markey – they were denied at first but were granted visitation rights the day after they filed the motion. The courts are efficient,” Clavano said, referring to a US congressional delegation who was initially rebuffed by the PNP from visiting De Lima last week.
“The PNP is merely following protocol,” Clavano said.
Aside from Hontiveros, also not allowed to visit De Lima at her detention cell in the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame were Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, former Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon, retired SC Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, former senator Mar Roxas, former Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin,
human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno, Winnie Monsod, lawyer Christian Monsod, and Julia Abad who was the chief of staff of the late president Noynoy Aquino.
De Lima’s camp said only her brother Vicente was allowed to visit the detained senator.
The PNP on Sunday said that while Hontiveros’ group submitted a request to visit De Lima, this came late, thus they were not allowed to enter the detention center.
