Philippine human rights campaigner Leila de Lima has been acquitted of all criminal charges after years of legal struggles against the former president Rodrigo Duterte.
De Lima, a former senator and justice minister, had been detained for over six years on accusations related to Duterte’s “death squad” killings. She was released on bail last year and has now been cleared of all charges, including allegations of illegal drug trading.
The judge cited lack of evidence and violation of de Lima’s right to a speedy trial in the verdict. De Lima had consistently claimed that the charges were fabricated to silence her criticism of Duterte’s drug war, which has resulted in thousands of deaths.
Despite the hardship she faced, de Lima remains committed to seeking justice and assisting in investigations, including the International Criminal Court’s probe into Duterte’s drug war. Her perseverance and resilience serve as a symbol of courage in standing up against injustice.