Philippine lawmakers file criminal case against Duterte critic ... while she’s out of the country

Reading Time:2 minutes

Philippine Senator Leila de Lima has denounced the government attacks on her as ‘madness’ and ‘harassment’. File photo: AP

Published: 2:00pm, 13 Dec 2016Updated: 10:48pm, 13 Dec 2016

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies in Congress on Tuesday filed a criminal complaint against a senator who has been an outspoken critic of a surge of extrajudicial killings unleashed by the president’s campaign against drugs.

The legal complaint against Senator Leila de Lima, who was justice minister in a previous administration, is the latest government action against her since she led an inquiry into the killings.

In November, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed bribery, graft and drug-related complaints against the senator.

Police officers investigate a crime scene where two alleged drug dealers were gunned down by unidentified men in Manila. Photo: AFP

She has denounced the government attacks on her as “madness” and “harassment” and she has appealed to Duterte to stop the string of bizarre accusations and insults.

Senators loyal to Duterte ousted her from the leadership of the investigation in September.

Congressmen then accused her of disrespect in connection with criticism she made of her treatment and the fate of the inquiry. That led to a criminal complaint.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x