A SENIOR adviser of US Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin yesterday visited former senator Leila de Lima inside her cell at Camp Crame, more than two months after she was held hostage in a failed escape attempt by fellow detainees.
The PNP said the visit of Chris Homan, Durbin’s senior adviser on national security and foreign policy, and three others was allowed by the Muntinlupa City courts handling De Lima’s drug cases.
PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Redrico Maranan said Homan and his companions were received at the PNP chief’s lounge for briefing and documentation, followed by frisking and depositing of personal items.
At around 9:40 am, Homan and his team proceeded to the PNP Custodial Center, where De Lima has been detained since February 2017 on drug-related charges filed by the former Duterte administration.
De Lima has denied the charges and has repeatedly said they were filed to persecute her for her rabid opposition to the Duterte government’s violent war on drugs that has led to human rights violations.
At the PNP Custodial Center, Maranan said Homan and his team was briefed by PNP Custodial Center chief Lt. Col. Larry Gabion “particularly on the adjusted security measures imposed at the facility” following the botched escape of three terrorist-detainees on October 9
The three – Abu Sayyaf leader Idang Susukan and Daulah Islamiyah members Arnel Cabintoy and Feliciano Sulayao Jr — died in the incident.
Susukan and Cabintoy were shot by a sniper after they stabbed and wounded a policeman, who was delivering food for the detainees, during their planned escape.
Sulayao ran to the cell of De Lima after a female guard locked the exit door of the jail facility, tied and blindfolded the former senator and took her hostage.
Col. Mark Pespes, commander of the PNP Headquarters Support Service who negotiated for the release of De Lima, shot Sumayao dead while giving drinking water to the suspect.
“Mr. Homan was informed that De Lima’s health condition is regularly monitored by PNP doctors. The team was also briefed of De Lima’s own decision to remain at the facility despite offers of transfer of detention facility,” Maranan also said.
Maranan said the visit ended at around 10:20 am.
“The visit was coordinated by the US Embassy in Manila and duly approved by the PNP acting chief of Directorial Staff Maj. Gen. John Dubria, upon compliance with all the requirements and necessary security protocols,” said Maranan.
