Pubdate: Thu, 26 May 2005
Source: Visayan Daily Star (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Visayan Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.visayandailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1688
Author: GPB
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

PROV'L DADS SUPPORT PDEA AGAINST THREE LAW ENFORCERS

The campaign of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency against law
enforcers who allegedly bungled drug-related offenses they had filed
in court, got support from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental.

The Negros Occidental SP yesterday passed a resolution filed by Board
Member Francis Gerard Tuvilla, supporting the move of PDEA regional
chief Rolen Balquin in the investigation of the causes for dismissal
of drug related cases filed by a PDEA personnel and two Bacolod policemen.

In case prima facie evidence informed against the three policemen,
they will be immediately charged for violation of Section 92 of RA
9165, Balquin said.

The identities of the three policemen are, however, being withheld by
the PDEA, until completion of the investigations.

A police major and an inspector are among the eight policemen in
Region 6 now facing criminal and administrative charges for alleged
bungling of drug-related offenses.

The dismissal of the drug-related case were traced by PDEA to the
failure to attend court hearings by police witnesses, presentation of
evidences, and inconsistency of their testimonies.

PDEA records show that 35 drug cases were dismissed in Region 6, of
which 14 each were recorded in the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo, one
each in Negros Occidental and Iloilo, three in Capiz and two in
Antique, from January up to this time.

In the same period, 33 drug offenders were convicted while 2,748 drug
cases are still pending in 41 courts of the region.

The cities of Bacolod and Iloilo shared the lead in drug cases filed
with Iloilo City having 724, Negros Occidental - 306, Capiz - 211,
Iloilo and Aklan provinces - 134 each, Antique - 31, and Guimaras -
15.* 
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