Philippine court exonerates harsh Duterte critic of drug-related accusations, ending a protracted legal fight and six years of detention by police.
Anti-government figure Leila De Lima, who was granted bail in November following the acquittal of two charges, was declared innocent of a third and final accusation on Monday, her lawyer revealed to state-owned broadcast network PTV.
The accusations were based on claims by Duterte that De Lima took bribes from drug criminal organizations to finance her 2016 Senate campaign.
Over 6,000 individuals met their end in anti-drug operations while Duterte was president from 2016 to 2022, according to police data. Many of the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders occurred in impoverished parts of the nation, with independent observers believing the death toll could be significantly higher.
Civil rights advocates have long criticized De Lima's prosecution and prolonged imprisonment, emphasizing that she was held in a police cell without a conviction.
They argue her treatment represents a deteriorating rights situation in a country where political activists and the media frequently encounter threats, harassment, and even fatalities for attempting to keep those in power accountable.
In a live-streamed video posted to her official Facebook page on Monday, supporters outside the courthouse in Muntinlupa city could be heard chanting, "Leila is free!"
Speaking to reporters outside the court, De Lima stated that Duterte would be held accountable for "sins perpetrated" against Filipinos.
"I am only one of the victims. Thousands of Filipinos were murdered during the violent and misleading 'drug war.' Many families suffered the loss of loved ones," she said.
"Those who were not killed were left to languish in prison due to the incorrect and distorted enforcement of the law. I too have experienced unjust imprisonment."
During his presidency, Duterte often claimed the killings of drug suspects were lawful when officers acted in self defense. He had previously admitted to killing drug suspects during his tenure as mayor of Davao City.
In July the previous year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) dismissed an appeal by the Philippine government to halt investigations into Duterte's drug war.
An ICC judge stated the decision by the Hague-based court meant the Philippines had exhausted all avenues to appeal.
Duterte's administration, as well as its successor under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., have resisted the ICC's investigation, denouncing it as unjust.
The Philippines once belonged to the ICC, but Duterte revoked the country's membership after the court initiated an inquiry into his drug war.
However, under the ICC's withdrawal mechanism, the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed during the membership period of a state – from 2016 to 2019, when the Philippines' withdrawal became official.
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De Lima's supporters celebrated her freedom in various parts of Asia, with videos of their celebration going viral on social media platforms like Facebook.
The international community has been closely watching the human rights situation in the world, with the treatment of De Lima becoming a prominent case of concern in Asia.
