Philippine court clears fierce Duterte critic of drugs charges after long legal battle and six years of police custody

CNN —

A Philippine court has dropped drugs charges against one of the most vocal critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs,” ending a long legal battle that had seen the former senator held for more than six years in police custody.

Opposition figure Leila De Lima, who was released on bail last November after she was acquitted of two counts, was cleared of a third and final charge on Monday, her lawyer told state broadcaster PTV.

The charges stemmed from allegations by Duterte that De Lima had received payoffs from convicted drug gangs to fund her 2016 senatorial bid.

More than 6,000 people were killed in anti-drug operations during Duterte’s tenure as president from 2016 to 2022, according to police data. Many of the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders took place in the poorest areas of the country – and independent monitors believe the number of those killed could be much higher.

Human rights activists had long criticized De Lima’s prosecution and lengthy detention, pointing out that she was held in a police cell despite not having been convicted of any charges.

They say her treatment is emblematic of a deteriorating rights situation in a country where political activists and the media often face threats, harassment and even death for attempting to keep those in power in check.

On Monday, supporters who gathered outside the courthouse in Muntinlupa city shouted, “Leila is free,” according to a livestreamed video posted on her official Facebook page.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, De Lima said Duterte would be held responsible for “sins committed” against Filipinos.

“I’m only one of the victims. Thousands of Filipinos were murdered during the bloody and fake