Exclusive - Senator Leila De Lima Goes Through Booking Process and Speaks at Press Con Before Being Detained at Camp Crame

On Friday, February 24, 2017, Senator Leila De Lima presented herself to the arresting team sent by the PNP outside the Philippine Senate.

The former Justice Secretary was arrested following the court order that was sent to her and two others on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Senator Leila De Lima, Rafael Ragos, and Ronnie Palisoc Dayan were officially sent arrest warrants after the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court supposedly found sufficient evidence that they violated the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

On Friday morning, senator De Lima was escorted by the police first to the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, and then to Camp Crame. According to reports, De Lima will be held in a detention facility in Camp Crame; the same place where the former senators Ramon Revilla, Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada are currently being held.

De Lima was given the chance to speak in a press conference before her arrest. Here are some parts of her speech:

"I speak before you with honor and integrity as my only defense. As former Human Rights Chairperson and Justice Secretary, I can look everyone straight in the eye and say: My track record as a public servant has never been tarnished by any wrongdoing, except until now based on manufactured lies. I have never used and will never use my position for my personal interest."

"I am innocent. I have never betrayed and I will never betray the trust of my country and the Filipino people."

On Friday afternoon the press was permitted to have a look at the first few activities of the senator shortly after she entered Camp Crame.

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