THE regional chief and several operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Northern Mindanao were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman Friday, February 24, in connection with an August 2016 drug operation that killed a suspected drug personality in Claveria town, Misamis Oriental.
Maria Leorupee Barros, widow of slain drug suspect Benildo Barros, lodged both administrative and criminal complaints against PDEA-Northern Mindanao regional director Adrian Albariño and agents Vincent Orcales, Emil Ancheta, Expedito Cardona Jr., Jayvee Mar Bautista, Joerick Tacal, and PDEA agents "John Does" and "Jane Does," including Claveria town chief of police Chief Inspector Salvador Ruzgal Castillon Jr.
Charges filed are grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for the administrative case, murder, robbery, coercion, arbitrary detention, abuse in the service of search warrant, searching domicile without witnesses, and perjury in violation of the Revised Penal Code for the criminal aspect.
The six-page complaint with supporting affidavits of witnesses and other documents was received by Jonathan Pineda, the associate graft investigator 1 of the Ombudsman-Cagayan de Oro City, around 2:20 p.m., Friday.
It can be recalled that the PDEA-Northern Mindanao operatives implemented a search warrant against Benildo Barros early morning of August 11, 2016 at his farm in Sitio Dumagook, Santa Cruz, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
Authorities said the house was searched following reports that it was being used in illegal drug-related activities.
The operatives claimed they killed Barros after he supposedly went for his gun and endangered the lives of the operatives.
Authorities claimed they seized more than 100 hundred grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" valued at around P500,000, drug paraphernalia, a hand grenade and a caliber .38 revolver which was allegedly used by Barros.
PDEA-Northern Mindanao also insisted standard operating procedure and rules of engagement were followed during the operation.
The legal counsel of the widowed Barros found several irregularities and questionable circumstances in the operation.
The complainant is represented by lawyers Rey Raagas, Rico Pajo and Santiago Goking of the Public Interest Center for Justice and Rule of Law and lawyers Eddie Cuaresma and Robert Raypon of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Misamis Oriental.
Raagas said they filed the lawsuits only now as they were establishing the appropriate charges to be filed and ensure that all documents and evidences are gathered.
"We took time to prepare the documents and para ma-establish unsa gyud nga mga kaso atong i-file (so that we can establish the kinds of cases we should file)," Raagas said.
He said they are confident that physical and testimonial evidences they hold are strong enough to try the accused.
The lawyer emphasized that this is high time to stimulate public attention about alleged abuses of authorities in carrying out the government's anti-illegal drug campaign.
Raagas said the community should help uphold and safeguard the rule of law and make public officials accountable for abuses.
For her part, the widowed Barros said she has to pursue the case to get justice and clear his husband's name from alleged drug involvement.
She said fears and worries are inevitable yet the support and prayers of the family and friends ignited her courage to put a stop on the supposed irregular practices of the law enforcers.