US welcomes Leila de Lima acquittal on last drug case

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LOS ANGELES – The United States has welcomed the acquittal of former Senator Leila de Lima on her last drug-related case, urging the Philippine government to resolve politically motivated cases in a manner consistent with its international human rights obligations.

“The United States remains committed to working with the Philippines to strengthen democracy and human rights around the world,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“We continue to urge the Philippines to resolve politically motivated cases, including those against journalists and civil society, in a manner consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments.”

The Amnesty International also welcomed the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court’s decision to dismiss the case against de Lima that effectively exonerated the former lawmaker of any crime.

Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for Research Montse Ferrer said the acquittal was “full freedom and vindication, finally, for human rights defender Leila de Lima, after her nearly seven years of arbitrary detention, as well as relentless political persecution.”

“De Lima’s acquittal in this last outstanding case is long overdue, and every day she spent in jail until her temporary release in November 2023 was a gross injustice. She was viciously targeted by the administration of former President Duterte solely for her efforts to expose human rights violations in the so-called ‘war on drugs,’” Ferrer said in a statement.

“As de Lima fully regains her freedom, we urge the administration of President Marcos to work towards ensuring an enabling environment for her and for many other human rights defenders in the Philippines who continue to be targeted because of their critical work.”

Ferrer also urged the Marcos administration to “impartially and effectively investigate those responsible for the unfounded allegations against de Lima that led to her arbitrary detention and the other human rights violations she has endured – and continues to endure – and bring them to justice in fair trials.”