— Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Sunday said the [PNP] Philippine National Police, will review protocols concerning detainees at its custodial center following the hostage-taking incident involving former Senator Leila de Lima.
Abalos also said the [PNP] Philippine National Police Custodial Center will be checked to see if anything needs to be renovated or repaired.
"Whatever protocols na kailangang baguhin — ‘yung pagpapakain na iisang tao lang — siguro iche-check lahat ito," he said in a briefing.
De Lima was taken hostage by one of three detainees who attempted to escape the [PNP] Custodial Center on Sunday morning. [PNP] Philippine National Police Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. Said; the detainees tried to escape while breakfast was being served at around 6:30 in the morning.. (Philippine time)
In a statement, the [PNP] Philippine National Police said De Lima was taken hostage by Feliciano Sulayao Jr. Based on the initial report, Sulayao, Arnel Cabintoy, and Idang Susukan stabbed [PCpl] Roger Agustin while they were trying to escape. Another officer fired towards them, hitting Cabintoy and Susukan. Sulayao fled toward the direction of De Lima's cell and took her hostage.
"'Yung time na 'yun, regular breakfast nila, so parang open 'yung entrance and exit nung time na 'yun. That's why noong tumakbo 'yung isa sa hostage takers, doon siya nakatakbo sa selda ni (former) Senator De Lima," Azurin explained.
[PCol] Mark Pespes tried to negotiate with Sulayao, but the detainee was neutralized as the situation was escalating. Cabintoy and Susukan were also neutralized.
Azurin said Sulayao, Cabintoy, and Susukan were members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
The [PNP] Philippine National Police said De Lima is now safe, while the injured policeman was rushed to the hospital. Pespes said the incident ended at 7:15 in the morning (Philippine time)
"She underwent medical checkup and confirmed naman na [it was confirmed that] she was unhurt. We have a staff there at the moment. Only one was allowed because of the incident," Atty. Boni Tacardon, De Lima's lawyer, said in a message.
Tacardon said De Lima will release a statement about the incident. He also said they remain hopeful that her cases will be resolved soon.
"Ang napag-aralan namin ngayon, mabigyan ng temporary liberty si Sen. Leila de Lima," he added.
De Lima has been detained for allegedly abetting an illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when she was Justice secretary during the term of former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. De Lima, a vocal critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war, maintained her innocence and accused the Duterte administration of fabricating charges against her.
She was acquitted in one of her three drug cases in February last year, while two others are pending.
Since late April, four witnesses have recanted their allegations against De Lima. The first three said government officials coerced them to implicate her, while one said he was compelled to lie for fear of his life.
De Lima to stay at PNP (Philippine National Police) Custodial Center
In a tweet earlier, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said he would see whether De Lima would want to be transferred to another detention center.
Abalos said De Lima opted to stay at the PNP Custodial Center because she felt safe there.
"Inutusan ako ni Presidente na sabihin kay senator na, if she wishes, she could have another facility. It might be a bigger one, at her option... What is important here is the safety of the senator, ‘yun ang gusto ng ating Presidente...Ang sabi naman sa akin kanina ni senadora is that okay na, ‘dito na lang ako sa akin ngayon’ dahil safe naman daw siya," Abalos said.
Marcos also "has directed Camp Crame to enforce all measures necessary to ensure that no act of violence in said facility and all other PNP detention centers shall happen again," according to a statement from Office of the Press Secretary OIC Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
Azurin has ordered an investigation into the incident.
De Lima's friends pray for her safety, release
Meanwhile, former Vice President Leni Robredo said she is praying for De Lima's safety and eventual release as well as the healing of Agustin.
Sen. Koko Pimentel also expressed concern for De Lima's safety.
"PNP (Philippine National Police) should come up with a detailed report on what happened and why this happened considering that Sen. De Lima is held in a separate area away from other inmates. We are glad with the initial report that she is okay. The wheels of justice in this country must move quicker," he said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros condemned the incident, saying it was "unjust, barbaric, and despicable." She also said security lapses need to be addressed.
"The violence against former Senator De Lima is only the latest act of injustice against her. Hindi sana nangyari ito kung sa simula pa lang, hindi na kinulong si Senator Leila dahil lang sa mga walang basehan na kaso. This is political persecution at its worst. Now more than ever, we call for the immediate release of former Senator Leila from her unjust detention and the dropping of the trumped-up charges against her."
Former Senators Ping Lacson, Franklin Drilon, and Kiko Pangilinan also called for an investigation into the incident.
