Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2003, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Joel R. San Juan DISMISSED DRUG CASES TO BE REVIEWED - DOJ JUSTICE Secretary Simeon Datumanong on Friday ordered the automatic review of all high-profile drug cases that have been previously dismissed by government prosecutors. He issued the order through Department Circular 46 dated June 26, directing that the automatic review shall be "summary" and completed within 30 days. The circular supports the government's renewed campaign to deal with the menace of drug addiction and trafficking in the country. "This Department Circular shall apply to covered cases which have been dismissed prior to its issuance if such dismissal has not yet attained finality as of the date of this Circular," Datumanong added. Under the circular, the dismissal of cases, whether on inquest, preliminary investigation or appeal, filed for violating Republic Act 9165 and involving the maximum penalty of life to death, shall be subject to automatic review. Cases dismissed by city and provincial prosecutors shall be reviewed by the regional state prosecutor having jurisdiction over the Prosecution Office. The justice secretary shall review cases dismissed by the chief state prosecutor, regional state prosecutors and city prosecutors in Metro Manila. Statistics show that since 1999 the Department of Justice has received 33 high-profile drug cases. Of these cases, 25 have been filed in courts and 8 are still pending in the justice department. These cases involve possession of or trafficking in shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) amounting to 762 grams to 503 kilograms; 4l.9l kilograms of marijuana and 692.l6 grams of cocaine. The arrest of 23-year-old Hong Shan Shan, a female Chinese employee of Wah Yuen Hotpot Resturant, who was caught with a kilo of shabu on June 19, was the latest high-profile drug case received by the justice department. But department sources said high-profile drug cases are usually elevated to the courts. "We don't dismiss such big cases here, because we leave it to the courts to determine whether they should be dismissed or not. As long as there is probable cause for their filing, we elevate these cases to the courts," an official said. Datumanong announced the creation of a Task Force on Antinarcotics and Dangerous Drugs, which would handle preliminary investigation, reinvestigation or inquest of all cases involving illegal drugs referred by law-enforcement agencies to the justice department. He has tapped Chief State Jovencito Zuno to lead the task force. Senior State Prosecutors Theodore Villanueva, Archimedes Manabat and Leah Armamento have been assigned as vice chairmen. Seven other state prosecutors have been designated members of the task force. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk