Press Release
June 18, 2019

De Lima welcomes release of HK pro-democracy activist

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has welcomed the release of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong whose leadership should inspire all Filipinos to stand up against the rampant extrajudicial killings and human rights violations in the Philippines.

"This is a monumental victory for democracy, not just for Hong Kong, but for all freedom-loving people from different parts of the world," said de Lima, a champion of social justice and human rights.

"Ang pagpapalaya kay Joshua Wong ay sumisimbolo, hindi lang sa laban ng mga taga-Hong Kong para sa kanilang karapatan, kundi ito'y napakahalagang bahagi ng kasaysayan sa ating laban para mapanatili ang demokrasya at kalayaan," she added.

Wong, 22 years old, was finally released from prison after serving one month of a two-month jail term in relation to the Occupy protests in 2014, which called for universal suffrage in Hong Kong.

Wong's release came amid the ongoing protest against Hong Kong's controversial extradition law. While Hong Kong authorities have suspended its passage, protesters remain on the streets to call for resignation of their top officials.

According to De Lima, she hopes that the Hong Kong protests will ignite the fire in the heart of every Filipino to speak out against the rampant extrajudicial killings, violation of human rights and corruption under the Duterte regime.

"Sana'y mabigyan ng protesta sa Hong Kong ng inspirasyon at lakas ng loob ang ating mga kababayan upang tumayo at mag-ingay laban sa kabi-kabilang pagpatay na resulta ng giyera ng pamahalaan kontra illegal na droga na pawang mahihirap at walang laban lang ang tinatamaan," De Lima emphasized.

Since the Duterte regime implemented their bloody campaign against illegal drugs, around 28,176 individuals were killed, 5,176 of whom are considered "drug personalities" while 23,000 other victims fall under the category of "homicide cases under investigation".

Like the millions of Hong Kong nationals who trooped to the streets to fight for their rights, the lady Senator from Bicol said Filipinos should also take a brave stand against the oppression and rampant human rights violations under the Duterte regime.

"Hindi tayo dapat magbulag-bulagan at magbingi-bingihan sa mga nangyayaring paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa bansa. Panahon na upang ipaglaban ang ma karapatang ito laban sa mapaniil na rehimeng Duterte," she stressed.

A prominent victim of Duterte's oppressive regime, De Lima is unjustly and illegally detained over trumped-up drugs charges filed by the administration using perjured witnesses, including convicted drug lords and criminals, and manufactured evidence.

News Latest News Feed