Philippine drug trafficking charge against Duterte critic dismissed

Jailed Philippine human rights campaigner Leila de Lima was acquitted Friday on one of two remaining drug trafficking charges filed against her under the Rodrigo Duterte administration, putting her a step closer to freedom.

De Lima, a former senator and justice minister, has been detained since February 2017 on charges she and human rights groups say were fabricated as payback for going after Duterte and his war on drugs that left thousands dead.

De Lima, 63, and another defendant were acquitted "on the ground of reasonable doubt," according to the ruling released by Manila trial court judge Abraham Alcantara.

"It's a glorious day. This is the beginning of my vindication," a relieved de Lima told reporters as police escorted her to a waiting bus after the verdict.

"May I say this to my oppressors: you can never crucify the truth."

Despite the acquittal, she will remain in jail as her trial in the other criminal case continues. She has applied for bail and is awaiting a judge's decision.

De Lima faces life in prison if convicted of the remaining charge.

She is accused of taking money from inmates inside the country's largest prison in exchange for allowing them to sell drugs while justice minister from 2010 to 2015 under then-leader Benigno Aquino.

But the prosecution's case has been falling apart, as two of their witnesses have died and a third charge against de Lima has been dismissed.

Multiple witnesses have recanted their testimonies, claiming they were coerced into making allegations.

"Vigilance in eradicating illegal drugs cannot come at the expense of disregarding the rule of law," the court ruling said.

The government welcomed the court's decision, while rights groups called for de Lima's immediate release from detention.

"The rule of law has prevailed and it just points out to us that the independence of the judiciary is a basic foundation of our democratic system. So it's good, it's good for us," Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla told reporters.

"The authorities must not delay her release any longer and allow her to be reunited with her family, friends and supporters after six long years," Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International's interim deputy regional director for research, said in a statement.

"Today, truth reigned over fake news. Today, justice reigned over injustice," de Lima's youngest brother Vicente de Lima told reporters.

Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson said the acquittal demonstrated "the bogus, harassing nature of the charges".

A UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded in 2018 that de Lima's detention was "arbitrary given the absence of a legal basis" and that her right to a fair trial had not been "respected".

• US man held in Philippines after girlfriend's body found in water drum