Beleaguered Senator Leila De Lima said she was compelled to stay overnight at the Senate Thursday on learning policemen were dispatched to arrest her at home.
“I was forced to leave my home because I was told the arresting team was on the way to the house, so I opted to return to the Senate,” De Lima told reporters. “I dont want my family to see me arrested.”
The Senator added: “I was really intending to surrender to authorities tomorrow (Friday)…it was unusual and unjust to insist they arrest me tonight…hindi naman ako tatakas”
Sen. De Lima said she will stay at her Senate office overnight and just wait for her captors to come and get her.
Shaking her head, the Senator said she could not comprehend the reason for the authorities’ sudden change of plans.
“I don’t understand…there was an arrangement with them pero biglang nagbago; desisyon daw ni General de la Rosa,” de Lima said, referring to National Police Chief Ronald de la Rosa.
Sources said she was referring to an arrangement between Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Interior Secretary Mike Sueno that the warrant would be served at 10 A.M. Friday. However, the sources added, de la Rosa “made a judgment call to do it tonight to preempt the mobilization of supporters at the Senate grounds.”