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A top Philippines politician and well-known critic of the country's President Rodrigo Duterte says she has been forced to leave her home as a result of fears over her safety.
"I don't feel safe. The truth is I am not safe," Senator Leila de Lima told reporters on Thursday.
"They are violating my rights to security, rights to privacy," CNN reports.
De Lima was dramatically removed as head of the Senate Justice and Human Rights committee -- which is investigating extrajudicial killings related to Duterte's anti-drug war -- earlier this week.
The House of Representatives, which is dominated by those close to Duterte, then launched an investigation into allegations of corruption during De Lima's time in the justice department.
De Lima said she was not confident whether Philippines security agencies would protect her.
"Can I rely on the government and (Philippines National Police) for safety or (National Bureau of Investigations) for my security? Can I rely on the (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to give me security? What is my choice?"
Sen. Leila de Lima became a target in the wake of the public disclosure of her mobile phone number and home address during a House of Representatives inquiry on Tuesday, when several convicted felons testified that she received drug money when she was justice secretary.
De Lima was unable to go to work on Wednesday—a rare absence from the chamber. Her staff said the 57-year-old lawmaker was ill and that she had to look for a safe place while being bombarded with threats by text messaging from people who believed the allegations.
“I have no adequate words to express my utter dismay at the lack of foresight and/or utter lack of sheer humanity displayed today during what I can only describe as a blatant exercise in harassment and persecution that is the so-called House of Representatives’ inquiry,” De Lima said in a statement late Tuesday night.
Sources: Inquirer, CNN
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