DETAINED former Senator Leila de Lima said she still prefers to stay at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center incident Camp Crame in Quezon City despite being held hostage early Sunday morning.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, in an interview, said De Lima told them that she “feels very safe” in her custodial cell.
“One thing I could say right now and I could assure you, sabi nga ng ating Presidente, importante maging safe ang lahat at si Senator Leila De Lima. Kaya nga nagpapahanap siya ng space kung saan niya gusto na maging safe sa kanya. We look for another place, but she feels very safe sa kanyang lugar. So, she prefers to stay there,” he said.
(One thing I could say right now and could assure you, our President said the important thing is for everyone and former Senator Leila de Lima to be safe. That’s why he is looking for a space where De Lima could be safe. We looked for another place, but Senator De Lima said she feels very safe where she is. So, she prefers to stay there.)
Authorities said that they would launch an in-depth investigation into the incident.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that he would speak to De Lima to check on her.
De Lima was taken hostage by Arnel Cabintoy, Idang Susukan, and Feliciano Sulayao Jr., all Camp Crame inmates who were detained for allegedly being sub-leaders of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.
According to PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the three suspects stabbed Police Corporal Roger Agustin in their attempted escape but another officer on duty was able to fire at them.
Sulayao then ran to De Lima’s custodial cell and took her hostage.
The PNP said Special Action Force members negotiated with Sulayao but to no avail. The suspects were later neutralized, according to the PNP.
The former Senator was reported to be safe, while Agustin was rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
