De Lima: ‘I have no intentions to escape’

SENATOR Leila de Lima said she has no intention of leaving the country amid allegations that she was involved in the illegal drug trade inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

On Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against her and five others who were allegedly involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the NBP.

"Huwag na sila sana magsayang o maaksaya ng panahon, dahil wala naman akong balak umalis para takasan itong krisis na ito," she said in an interview on Monday morning.

She noted that if ever she will leave the country, it would be probably for a speaking engagement.

"Kung aalis man ako sa bansa, may magandang dahilan, like for example, if I’m invited to a speaking engagement siguro. Pero ako kasi yung di ako mahilig na mag travel, bihirang bihira ako mag travel," the senator said.

De Lima maintained her innocence amid the allegations against her.

"I am innocent and therefore I will not escape. Kung yan ang gusto nilang ibig sabihin kaya sila nag issue ng so-called lookout bulletin," the senator added.

Aside from De Lima, also included in the lookout bulletin order (LBO) are Ronnie Dayan, the driver and alleged boyfriend of de Lima; former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Franklin Bucayu, Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission Executive Director Reginald Villasanta, and de Lima's former security aide Joenel Sanchez.

A lookout bulletin order is issued to subject persons in order to at least monitor the itineraries of their flight, travel, and/or whereabouts but airport authorities to prevent the flight of the subject.