PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar has ordered a review of all dismissed drug cases in the past five years to identify the policemen who committed irregularities that led to the dismissal of the cases.
He cited the possibility that some policemen are in cahoots with the accused and are deliberately causing the dismissal of the drug cases that they handle.
“Having data and information on these dismissed drug cases since the war on drugs started in 2016 would truly help the PNP leadership determine the interventions needed so that the junking by the courts of drug cases filed by the police would be avoided in the future,” he said.
“Kailangang masiguro na malakas ang mga kaso na ating isinasampa laban sa mga nahuhuli nating sangkot sa iligal na droga kaya’t nararapat na matukoy natin ilan at ano ba ang nagiging dahilan bakit na-dismiss ng korte ang ilan sa ating mga kaso,” he added.
Eleazar said they are also aiming to improve the conviction rate, particularly in drug-related cases as higher conviction rate would reflect the success of the campaign against illegal drugs.
The top cop ordered the review following the dismissal of drug charges against local rapper Marlon Peroramas, known as Loonie, who claimed that cops planted the drug evidence found in his possession in 2019.
Peroramas’ case was dismissed by the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 64 due to failure of police personnel to follow the chain of custody rule. The court no longer asked the accused to present evidence, as it found the prosecution’s witness inconsistent, misleading and weak.
Perorama is considering filing charges against the police.
Since the war on drugs started in July 2016, law enforcers have conducted 200,632 anti-illegal drug operations, wherein a total of 289,622 drug suspects have been arrested. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)