Former President Benigno Aquino III 鈥擡DWIN BACASMAS
Former President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday visited Senator Leila de Lima at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center where she has been detained over illegal drug charges.
PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos told the media that Aquino, a close friend and fellow Liberal Party member of the senator, arrived at 1:45 p.m. in the detention facility.
Aquino鈥檚 visit lasted for about two hours, according to police sources.
Last Tuesday, Aquino said he planned to visit De Lima to check on her condition and 鈥渢alk about so many things with her.鈥�
The former chief executive also said he wanted to bring De Lima some chocolates.
搁贰础顿:听Aquino worried about De Lima鈥檚 safety
In a press briefing earlier, Carlos said PNP chief Director General Ronald 鈥淏ato鈥� dela Rosa received Aquino鈥檚 letter asking permission to visit the senator this morning.
Asked in an earlier interview if he had approved Aquino鈥檚 request, Dela Rosa said, 鈥淚 have no problem with that. Anybody can visit provided gusto rin ng senador na papasukin, pabisitahin yung bisita with the clearance of the concerned which is the senator.鈥�
De Lima has been detained at the custodial center since last Friday after a Muntinlupa court issued an arrest warrant against her on illegal drug charges. President Duterte and his administration accused De Lima, his staunchest critic, of profiting from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. JE/rga