Leading European liberal politicians have denounced the arrest of Sen. Leila M. de Lima over drug-related charges which they said are “politically motivated.”
They vowed to seek action from the European Union, especially as they expressed deep concern that President Duterte is turning the Philippines into an “illiberal state.”
A statement from the Liberal International, the world federation of liberal and progressive democratic political parties, said that prominent European parliamentarian Hans van Baalen MEP would raise the issue to the attention of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini.
The statement was released to media by the office of Sen. Francis N. Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party, which is a full member of the LI.
“The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats Europe Party is deeply concerned about the arrest of the Liberal Party Sen. Leila de Lima in particular and the deteriorating human rights situation in general,” the statement quoted Baalen as saying.
“The Philippines, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, is turning rapidly into an illiberal state, where there is no respect for the law whatsoever. I have asked written questions to HRVP Mogherini in order to see what action the EU can take,” he added. (Elena L. Aben)