Former Senator Leila de Lima stated that her hostage-taker was dissatisfied with his treatment at the detention center and threatened to kill her because he was already prepared to be killed.
In her sworn testimony, De Lima claimed that on Sunday morning, she was praying in her detention cell when another inmate burst in, grabbed her hostage, and put a sharp object against her chest.
De Lima claims that as she was reciting the Holy Rosary early on Sunday, a convict who was later identified as Feliciano Sulayao Jr. entered, gasping for air, and tied her arms behind her back.
“At sinabihan ako na ‘Ma’am patay na ang [dalawang] kasamahan ko kaya kailangan mo sumama sa akin kasi papatayin din ako,’” De Lima said.
According to De Lima, the detainee saw that the main outer gate was closed and brought her back to her room, where she was blindfolded and tied with towels.
“Paulit-ulit niyang sinasabi na patay na ang dalawa niyang kasama at wala daw siyang choice dahil ako lang daw ang paraan na makalabas siya at makatakas,” she said.
The former lawmaker reported that she was instructed to inform the police that the hostage-taker need a Hummer and a C-130 to transport him to Sulu. He also requested a cellphone from de Lima, but she had none.
“He got more frantic and agitated and sabi kailangan niya ng media. He also told me na tawagin ko daw ang pulis para sabihin ko sa kanila ‘yung mga hinihingi niya,” she said.
Sulayao was asked to identify himself and his two companions, who were eventually identified as Arnel Cabintoy and Idang Susukan, according to De Lima.
De Lima says hostage-taker threatened to kill her
“Ang sagot niya si Sulayao. Ang sabi niya, ‘Marami kaming reklamo sa ginagawa sa amin dito. Para kaming hayop itrato at ang mga pagkain ay may baboy’,” he said
De Lima recalled telling Sulayao that she could assist in addressing their issues, but he repeatedly threatened to kill her.
“Sabi niya, ‘Mamatay na rin lang ako ma’am kaya isasama na kita. Maraming sniper diyan sa labas,’” she said.
She stated that it was 7 a.m., that Sulayao demanded that his requirements be met by 7:30 a.m., or they would both die.
Moments later, de Lima reported that Sulayao pleaded for water and pointed to the ice box in her cell, but he stated that the cops should get her some.
After the incident, according to de Lima, she was examined by a doctor at the PNP General Hospital, where she discovered that the hostage-taker and his two accomplices had been slain.
She was transported to the PNP Custodial Center Office. She talked with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who granted her permission to speak with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. via telephone.
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