Philippine court dismisses drugs charge against Leila de Lima

Former senator and fierce critic of Rodrigo Duterte has been detained at the Manila National Police Headquarters for six years.

A Philippines court has dismissed one of two remaining drug charges against Leila de Lima, a former senator and outspoken critic of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte.

Leila de Lima was arrested in 2017 and charged with taking drug money, just months after she announced a Senate investigation into Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs,” which has killed thousands of mostly poor young men, according to human rights groups.

De Lima, now 63, and another defendant “are hereby acquitted,” said a written copy of the ruling released Friday by Regional Court Judge Abraham Alcantara. Her lawyer also confirmed the acquittal.

The former senator has been detained for more than six years at the National Police Services Agency.

More to come…