MANILA — Members of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) have been denied access to visit Senator Leila De Lima in prison today in Manila. Upon arrival at Camp Crame for their scheduled visit at 1:30pm, their vehicle was denied entry to the premises and the MPs were told that they would not be allowed to visit the Senator. After proceeding on foot to the custodial center where Sen. De Lima has been held for nearly eight months, they were told that they had to wait indefinitely for approval from the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

APHR had applied for formal permission for four members — lawmakers from Malaysia and the Philippines — to visit Sen. De Lima, following all proper protocols, including sending a request letter 10 days in advance. They did not receive any advance warning of the potential rejection of their request to visit the Senator, who is routinely allowed visitors, including individuals from the international community. MPs were told that despite regular visiting hours being in effect, the officers on duty had not received clearance from police headquarters to permit their visit.

“The authorities’ decision to deny us access to visit Senator De Lima at the very last minute only furthers the public perception that the Senator is a victim of political persecution by President Rodrigo Duterte,” said APHR Chairperson Charles Santiago, a member of the Malaysian Parliament, and one of the MPs scheduled to visit the Senator.

“We reiterate our call for her immediate and unconditional release — she is a prisoner of conscience, jailed for her steadfast defense of human rights and criticism of violations by the Philippine authorities. This again demonstrates the deeply concerning state of democracy in the ASEAN region. Even in the Philippines — previously one of the most open societies in Southeast Asia — the government’s authoritarian restrictions betray a deep fear of legitimate public scrutiny,” he added.