ATTACK. President Rodrigo Duterte chastises Senator Leila de Lima for questioning his campaign against illegal drugs
MANILA, Philippines – “Namumulitika (politiking), posturing when you yourself have a very sordid personal and official life.”
Though he did not name her at any point in his speech, President Rodrigo Duterte had anything but kind words for Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday, August 17, in a speech during the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s 115th service anniversary in Camp Crame.
Duterte did not name De Lima but dropped heavy – and obvious – hints that he was referring to her when he chastised a senator for “complaining” about the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs. De Lima, a former justice secretary, is set to head alegislative probe into instances of alleged summary killings during anti-illegal drugs operations by police.
De Lima chairs the Senate’s committee on justice.
The President turned personal against the senator, accusing her of having a “driver and lover” who accepted money from illegal drugs during the 2016 campaign.
“Here is an immoral woman….Here is a woman who funded the house of her lover. The money came readily for her,” said Duterte.
He later clarified that he was not saying that the driver gave the senator drug money but added, “but by the looks of it, she had it.”
Duterte’s last lines during this off-the-cuff part of his speech had the most obvious references to De Lima. “I can show you. I have the CD when she first investigated me for human rights violations,” said Duterte.
When she headed the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), De Lima attempted to investigate Duterte for his alleged links to the “Davao Death Squad,” a loose vigilante group that allegedly targeted criminals in the city. Duterte was mayor of Davao City for over two decades and is credited for turning a once lawless city into a model for peace and order.
In the video, De Lima supposedly said that she would “prove that Duterte is connected with the DDS.”
“Until now she keeps on yapping….I would like her to eat it in my presence. Because I cannot do it because it is not an acceptable edible food for persons,” he quipped.
A “bloody” campaign against crime and illegal drugs was among Duterte’s key promises during the 2016 elections. To date, 572 drug suspects have died in police operations around the country. More than half a million drug personalities have surrendered and more than 7,000 have been arrested.
While the campaign has its fans, critics have decried “war on drugs” as one that has disregarded human rights while promoting violence and vigilantism. – Rappler.com
