Dabawenyos urged to be vigilant of cocaine case
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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DABAWENYOS were told to be vigilant of the proceedings of the Maersk Filipinas cocaine complaint, which is now pending with the City Prosecutor’ Office.
"It is this kind of case that is susceptible to be shelved or dismissed," Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Clarence Paul Oaminal told Sun.Star Davao.
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He reminded Dabawenyos that this is the biggest cocaine seizure in recent history.
"I am glad that the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) has filed against the local contacts but what I am interested more is, who masterminded the smuggling of the cocaine," Oaminal said.
He added that someone bigger than the Maersk Filipinas personnel must be behind the shipment and orchestrated the smuggling.
He said he has a high regard for Davao City chief prosecutor Raul B. Bendigo and hopes that this case will be monitored.
"If we will fail in successfully prosecuting this case, we would again be a laughing stock in the international anti narcotics community," Oaminal said.
He added that we often fail to send strong message on the strength of our criminal justice system and as a result, foreign nationals are so bold in committing crimes in our country like setting up hidden labs and smuggling of drugs.
He added that under Section 90 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, preliminary investigation of cases shall be terminated within a period of 30 days from the date of the filing. And if the respondents refuse to submit counter-affidavit let the information be filed.
"I hope that any of the respondents would turn state witness and tell the whole story," Oaminal said.
Francisco Manago of Maersk Filipinas Inc. in Pasay City; Rodger Carael, resident of Dona Asuncion Street, Davao City; Alvin Cesar Reyes; Leo Dalisay; Marivic Luis; and Jose Nobela were earlier charged with violation of the Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act for the seizure of almost 16 kilos of high-grade cocaine in an empty reefer van at Maersk Shipping Lines’ contained yard in Sasa, Davao City in December 2009.
