Sen. Leila M. de Lima may be one of President Duterte’s staunchest critics but Malacañang does not wish her anything harm.
Amid reports that De Lima was fearing for her life, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Martin Andanar assured the government would provide safety and protection to the senator just like other Filipinos.
“Everyone is assured. We are all Filipinos. We are citizens of this beloved country. We have a right to be given security by the police and the military,” Andanar said in a Palace press conference.
Andanar also appealed to the President’s die-hard supporters not to harass De Lima online after the former Justice Secretary complained of foul messages she has received in recent days.
“For the supporters of the President, let us be responsible in our text messages. It is not good that we are threatening our own. Sen. De Lima is a senator, she’s an elected official of the land,” he said in Filipino.
De Lima earlier said she no longer feels safe after her home address and personal mobile number were revealed in a House inquiry into the alleged drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. The former Justice Secretary has been implicated in allowing the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the State penitentiary.
Meantime, the Palace made a similar appeal to Duterte loyalists not to make online threats to journalists who are just doing their jobs. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)
