In the aftermath of the hostage-taking of former Senator Leila de Lima, instead of giving her the option to be transferred to another jail as suggested by President Marcos, Jr., she must be granted freedom from a five-year odious and solitary confinement on fabricated drug charges. 

If her police custodians cannot secure her from a hostage taker, once liberated the people themselves can be her guardians to protect her from harm.

While well-meaning visitors were barred from greeting her on her birthday, the culpable laxity of her jailers has allowed an armed intruder to penetrate her cell and seize her hostage.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN