MANILA, Philippines — Various groups on Saturday congratulated detained Sen. Leila de Lima for receiving this year’s prestigious “Prize for Freedom” award from London-based Liberal International for her "exceptional contribution to the advancement of human rights" in the Philippines.
In a statement, members of the Democratic Warriors and all of its affiliated organizations said De Lima is deserving of the award for fighting for human rights to the point of "losing her own freedom."
“Even now, and despite your current circumstances, you continue to be the voiced of the oppressed and downtrodden,” the group said. “We all continue to pray for your safety and wellbeing and hope for the day that we can soon all be together in the celebration of the just society and bright future of our beloved country."
Separately, Tinding Pilipinas said De Lima “embodies what is the best of us.”
“More than an individual award, it is a victory for the Filipino people,” the group said.
Meanwhile, Pwersa ng Pamayanan Para sa Voluntarismo at Reporma, or PPVR, told the embattled senator that her “voice rings loud and clear to inspire us even from where you are.”
A fierce critic of the Duterte administration and its deadly anti-narcotic campaign, De Lima was arrested on Feb. 24, 2017 on what she called “trumped-up” drug charges that she said were part of a presidential vendetta.
The former justice secretary turned lawmaker launched a Senate probe into alleged unlawful killings by the police under President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which has left scores dead.
De Lima is the second Filipino to receive the Prize for Freedom award, which was also given to late President Corazon Aquino, the heroine of the 1986 People Power Revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral