Leading critic of Philippine leader arrested on drug charges

[TomSea]

Leading critic of Philippine leader arrested on drug charges

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A senator who has been a leading critic of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly anti-drug crackdown was arrested Friday on drug charges but professed her innocence and vowed she would not be intimidated by a leader she called a "serial killer."

Sen. Leila de Lima was arrested a day after the Regional Trial Court in Muntinlupa city in the Manila metropolis issued the warrant for her and other officials who have been charged by state prosecutors for allegedly receiving bribes from detained drug lords.

De Lima said the charges against her were part of an attempt by Duterte to muzzle critics of the crackdown that has left more than 7,000 suspected drug dealers and small-time users dead. She questioned why the court suddenly issued the arrest order when it was scheduled Friday to hear her petition to void the three non-bailable charges.

Continued: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/24cc606867434112b2beb76b68f61b63/leading-critic-philippine-leader-arrested-drug-charges