Pubdate: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 Source: Freeman, The (Philippines) Copyright: 2004 The Freeman Contact: http://www.thefreeman.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437 Author: Rene U. Borromeo Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration ( www.pdea.gov.ph ) GOVERNMENT MOVES TO AMEND DRUG LAW Aside from imposing stiffer penalty on illegal drug traffickers, the government has moved to amend the two-year old law to allow authorities to use electronic surveillance equipment against persons engaged in drug trade. Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco said members of the House committee on dangerous drugs are supporting the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in its effort to have the Republic Act 9165 amended. "Susama ra kini nga dugangan nato og ngipon ang kapolisan nga ibatok nila sa mga drug pushers ug mga druglords," said Cuenco, vice chairman of the committee and the principal author of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. A bill will soon be filed to amend the law to allow authorities to use any electronic surveillance equipment, such as wire-tapping devices, to help them detect the activities of persons engaged in illegal drugs. Cuenco said the public should not be afraid because the police are still required to secure a court order before tapping their surveillance gadgets into the communication lines of suspected drug dealers, otherwise they would violate the law. Councilor Eugenio "Jingjing" Faelnar, president of the Association of Barangay Councils, described the move as an effective tool to improve their performance. Surveillance against criminal activities using electronics gadgets is very effective in the United States, Australia, and in other countries where wire-tapping is allowed. But to obtain a court order, law enforcers must demonstrate that there is probable cause to believe that the person under investigation committed a serious felony. - ---