MANILA, Philippines: Seven people who were detained under duress and testified against former senator Leila de Lima in the ongoing drug case have indicated that they intend to recant their statements.
In a signed letter dated November 17, 2023, the witnesses addressed the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court RTC) Branch 206. “At this point, we would like to state that our participation as witnesses in the drug cases against former DoJ (Department of Justice) Secretary De Lima was vitiated by undue compulsion and influence, and thus, any judicial statement made by us, is void of lack of consent.”
“We no longer want to go through life knowing that we let ourselves be used as props or tools of injustice. Going forward, we want to live a life of honor, morality, and accountability,” they declared.
Among the witnesses are Germa Agojo, Engelberto Durano, Jerry Pepino, Tomas Doniña, Jaime Patcho, Wu Tuan Yuan (also known as Peter Co), and Hans Anton Tan. All of them are presently incarcerated in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) serving their sentences.
On November 13, the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206 allowed De Lima to post bail in her ongoing narcotics prosecution.
Since 2017, De Lima, who was the justice secretary at the New Bilibid Prison, has been held at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, following her involvement in the illicit drug trade.
Several witnesses had renounced their accusations against the former senator while they were being held in custody.
These witnesses reported being under duress.
The two cases that the former senator won were in 2021 and early 2023, respectively.
