Philippine court dismisses drugs charge against Leila de Lima

Former senator and fierce critic of Rodrigo Duterte has been held in Manila’s National Police Headquarters for six years.

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

Leila de Lima was arrested in 2017 and accused of taking drug money just a few months after announcing a Senate investigation into Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs”, which rights groups say left thousands of, mostly poor, young men dead.

De Lima, now 63, and another defendant “are hereby acquitted”, said a written copy of the ruling released on Friday by regional trial court judge Abraham Alcantara. Her lawyer also confirmed the acquittal.

The former senator has been held at the National Police Headquarters for more than six years.

More to come…