SENATOR Leila de Lima said Tuesday her arrest over drug charges was imminent, but she expressed hope she would not be a victim of summary killing and vowed to continue fighting in jail.
“My only appeal…is that I would be placed in a place where I will be safe and secure,” De Lima said.
“I am not asking for any kind of special or VIP treatment. Just make sure I am safe in the place where they will detain me, especially if the charges would be bailable. Perhaps, I can always pay the bail.”
De Lima said she could not resist arrest physically.
“I cannot physically resist [arrest]. [But] I am morally and psychologically resisting because I’m absolutely innocent.
“I will not escape. I will not hide. I will not go to a hospital [like former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo].”
De Lima said her legal team was preparing for her arrest, which was being rushed by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
She said they also had pending petitions before the Court of Appeals asking for a temporary restraining order.
“I’m pinning my hopes on the judiciary. I have faith in our judiciary, especially the courts, the Supreme Court,” De Lima said.
“Ultimately, perhaps those cases, the plan to file charges with the RTC, that will really be elevated to higher court. But of course we have to exhaust remedies.”
De Lima said she will bring one luggage to her detention facility and a few comfortable clothes. She would also bring some books.
She said she had already talked about her possible detention to her family: Her 83-year old mother, her two brothers and a sister, her cousins.
“Of course they are sad but I want them to be psychologically prepared because I don’t want them to be surprised,” De Lima said.
She also met with her staff on Friday and asked them not to cry when she was served the arrest warrant.