By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. offered former Senator Leila de Lima the option to be transferred from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center to a different detention facility after she was taken hostage by three detainees early Sunday morning, Oct. 9.
In a tweet, Marcos said he will be speaking to De Lima to check on her condition following the incident.
“Following this morning’s incident at Camp Crame, I will be speaking to Senator De Lima to check on her condition and to ask if she wishes to be transferred to another detention center,” Marcos said.
Following this morning’s incident at Camp Crame, I will be speaking to Senator De Lima to check on her condition and to ask if she wishes to be transferred to another detention center.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) October 9, 2022
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. personally visited De Lima and relayed the President’s message.
Abalos said De Lima chose to stay at her current facility.
“Upon instructions from President Bongbong Marcos, another facility would be provided [to] Sen. De Lima keeping in mind her safety, at the option of Sen. De Lima to either remain at her current facility or be transferred to another one,” Abalos said.
“What is paramount is the safety of everyone including Sen. De Lima. Senator De Lima opted to stay at her current facility,” he added.
READ MORE: Abalos: De Lima prefers to stay at PNP Custodial Center
Marcos also directed Camp Crame officials to enforce measures to avoid similar incidents from happening again.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier confirmed that the three detainees who attempted to escape were members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
According to PNP, the three suspects were already neutralized.
De Lima has been detained at Camp Crame since 2017 over drug charges.
READ MORE: De Lima hostaged in Camp Crame jail
