PDEA questions release of drug suspects in Bukidnon

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has questioned the legality of the resolution issued by the Office of the Prosecutor in Valencia City, Bukidnon that resulted in the release of a suspected illegal drug pusher and his companion.

PDEA regional director Roberto Opeña filed a complaint before the Office of the Regional State Prosecutor questioning the resolution, which was signed by Associate Prosecution Attorney II Rainier Eusebio D. Aquino and approved by City Prosecutor John S. Magdaraog.

Aquino, in his resolution dated September 14, 2012, said the “complaint filed against Jaime S. Olorvida and Sherwin S. Rivera was filed beyond the reglamentary period to conduct inquest proceedings.”

He added that the case filed against the respondents be proceeded under normal preliminary investigation and required to submit their respective counter-affidavit within 10 days from receipt of the order.

The resolution also ordered the release of Olorvida and Rivera.

The two suspects were arrested by PDEA agents on September 12 in a buy-bust operation at Purok 7, Hindangon, Valencia City.

Seized from their possession were 19 sachets of believed to be shabu, an explosive and ammunition.

However, the two were released on September 14 by the chief of police of Valencia City following an order from the City Prosecutor’s Office.

“Nasa number 3 Target list sa Bukidnon ‘yang si Olorvida tapos basta nalang ma-release? Pinaghirapan ng mga agents ‘yan para ma-arrest and then sasabihin nilang beyond the reglamentary period na na-file ang kaso?” Opeña told Sun.Star.

He believed that the complaints against the two suspects were filed within the reglamentary period of 36 hours from the time they were arrested.

Opeña said Olorvida and Rivera were arrested around 12:45 a.m. of September 10.

He said they filed the case, which was received by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Valencia City at 12 noon of September 11.

“Kahit nung nag-backtrack kami from the time na ipina-file ang kaso at sa oras na nahuli sila, pasok pa rin sa 36 hour period kaya nagulat kami sa resolution,” Opeña added.

He said PDEA is not creating a fight against their partner agency but rather, to correct the resolution.

“As public servants, we felt that the Office of the City Prosecutor of Valencia City committed irreversible error when they held that the buy-bust operation was conducted on September 9 and acted with grave abuse of discretion when they ordered for the immediate release of the two suspects,” Opeña said in his complaint addressed to Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa.