Boston (February 24, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee’s Asia Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding the arrest of Philippine Senator Leila de Lima.  In a December letter with Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), Senator Markey called on the State Department to examine U.S. security assistance to the Philippines given the widespread extrajudicial killings since President Rodrigo Duterte took office. In January, Amnesty International reported that there have been more than 7,000 drug-related killings in the Philippines, with the police directly responsible for at least 2,500 deaths. Senator Markey also has called on President Donald Trump to condemn President Duterte’s violent anti-drug campaign.

“I am deeply concerned about the arrest of Senator de Lima, a prominent opposition leader and critic of President Duterte," said Senator Markey.  "Since taking office in June 2016, President Duterte has led a so-called 'war on drugs' that is nothing more than a campaign of mass atrocities thinly disguised as a response to a public health emergency. 

“Senator de Lima has shown great courage and integrity in challenging President Duterte’s murderous anti-drug campaign and urging the Philippine Senate to investigate his involvement in extra-judicial killings.  Previous threats from Duterte and his allies against Senator de Lima raise serious concerns that her arrest is a politically motivated attempt to silence a critic.  Prosecutions of political opponents have no place in a democracy, and her case must be handled with the utmost transparency and absolute respect for due process and the rule of law.  I will continue to follow the situation in the Philippines closely and to speak out for democracy, human rights, and justice.”

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