On her 2nd birthday in unjust detention, De Lima launches 2nd book

To mark her 2nd birthday in detention, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima will launch her 2nd book which she dedicates to the Filipino people who believe in her innocence despite the trumped-up charges hurled against her.

Her second book will be formally released on the eve of her 59th birthday on Aug. 26 (Sunday) to be attended by former colleagues, relatives, supporters, and fellow human rights advocates.

The book, entitled "Fight for Freedom and Other Writings," contains a collection of writings, speeches, letters and notes about De Lima and her quest for freedom, which she and other prominent personalities supportive of her plight wrote.

"To my oppressors, jailing me despite my innocence is your burden to keep. To the Filipino people: No matter the persecution, I will never stop fighting. [This book] is dedicated to family, friends, and supporters who cry out for my freedom," she said in the book's dedication.

It is the second time for De Lima to publish her book, the first time was on Feb. 24, 2018 to mark her first year in detention.

Her 1st book entitled "Dispatches from Crame I" contains a selection of more than 100 of her handwritten statements from her detention at the Philippine National Police-Custodial Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Although she has no access to any electronic gadget and communication device, De Lima continues to write about her views and stands on significant societal and political issues, including her reflections about her life behind bars.

While De Lima remains unjustly detained, known personalities who vouch for her integrity continue to share their reflections about the Senator's continued unjust detention and how her situation truly inspires hope, through their writings.

As such, speeches and messages of solidarity for De Lima written by the likes of Vice President Leni Robredo, former Hong Kong Legislative Council Member Emily Lau, Liberal International President Juli Minoves, and columnists Solita Collas-Monsod, Vergel Santos and John Nery, among others, were included in the book.

"Fight for Freedom and Other Writings" also carries words of support from known Hong-kong based professor James Rice, who believes that the Senator deserves the respect and recognition of her fellow Filipinos and citizens abroad.

Former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who wrote the book's foreword, said that "Fight for Freedom and Other Writings" "puts on the record what [De Lima] has gone through, and how her rights have been trampled upon in the year and a half the she has been unjustly incarcerated."

"As it stands, this collection sends a clear message: If injustice could be done to Leila, a sitting senator, injustice could be done to anyone. One therefore is challenged to make a personal inquiry: What could I do; and if I have done something, is it enough?" Aquino said.

"Fight for Freedom and Other Writings" is divided into five parts, namely, "From My Desk," "Freedom Fighters," Standing by My Innocence," Voices of Hope," and "Truth be Told."

The cover of the book shows a smiling De Lima, a 2018 Prize of Freedom Awardee, flashing her signature hand sign and donning her remarkable blue scarf.

De Lima remains detained inside the national police headquarters in Camp Crame over bogus illegal drug trade charges based on fabricated testimonies by convicted felons. She is expected to celebrate her birthday in detention for the second time on Aug. 27.