User talk:Edicisinyorpusi1992

The Philippine Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign (Posted on July 23, 2019.) L. De Lima

Amid online rumors that I was protecting the drug trade I said that I supported President Rody Duterte's war against illegal drugs. But I insisted there must be another way to do it. The former Justice Secretary was concerned about the on-going vigilante killings of alleged drug criminals. We cannot wage the war against drugs with blood. I said in a privilege speech addressed to President Duterte, her fellow senators, and the Filipino people. I said doing so would only trade drug addiction with the "compulsion for killing." I said that the vigilante killings have prompted "do-it-yourself" justice, with killings done instead of proper police investigations. A 91% approval rating for the President and what he stands for is a formidable record," I said. But we cannot base our reactions to these killings on the popularity of the President. Popular or not, murder must stop. I wished that the police would honour the rule of law when dealing with drug criminals. Citing the right to life, I reminded the President that "All lives matter."

The DOJ's Task Force on Anti-Drug, chaired by DOJ Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, was already studying the provisions of Republic Act 9165 and determines the possible amendments. De Lima said that they were particularly looking at the provision on the "chain of custody," which caused the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to acquit Richard Brodett and Jorge Joseph. She noted that if you will read the court's decision, it zeroed in on the violated chain of custody of the drug evidence. The law enforcers here in the Philippines have difficulty following it. She thinks it should be relaxed a little perhaps do away with some of the requirements like the presence of the media and two elected public officials during the inventory immediately after the seizure. If the seizure was made in a remote area, the public will have to wait for these people before an inventory can be conducted, which is why she proposed that at least two disinterested members be allowed to witness the inventory immediately after seizure of the illegal drugs. She (De Lima) noted that the requirements under the law are impractical.

The "chain of custody" refers to the requirement under the law that should be followed regarding the movement of the seized illegal drugs from seizure to presentation in court and then destruction. Under RA 9165, after taking the initial custody of the seized drugs, the authorities are required to conduct an inventory in the presence of the accused, his/her counsel or representative of the accused, member of the media, DOJ and an elected public official. De Lima said that the strict requirement under the law forces the police to shortcut the procedure, leading to the acquittal or dismissal of cases. After their study, De Lima said that they would submit their recommendation to President Benigno Aquino III. De Lima said that they would also determine the possible action to take regarding the acquittal made by the Muntinlupa RTC.

L. De Lima