Long-jailed former Philippine senator who fought brutal drug crackdown is granted bail

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine court has ordered the release on bail of a former senator jailed more than six years ago on drug charges she said were fabricated to muzzle her investigation of then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal crackdown on illegal drugs. Two other non-bailable drug cases against her have been dismissed. The European Union Parliament, some American lawmakers and United Nations human rights experts have long demanded the release of Leila de Lima, who was detained as an opposition senator in February 2017 in what they say was political persecution by Duterte and his allies and a major blow to Philippine democracy. Duterte, whose stormy six-year term ended in June last year, has insisted on her guilt.