PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, said they have started the process of destroying around 1.4 tons of confiscated methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
Actual destruction of the substance, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA), will be scheduled for August 12 or 19.
In a press conference, Gamboa said court proceedings have started in accordance with the Supreme Court circular which mandates lower courts to expedite issuance of orders for destruction of illegal drugs confiscated in police operations.
“Ongoing ngayon doon, nando’n ang judge, nando’n ang mga prosecutors, nando’n din naka-zoom ang suspect with their respective counsels...We are setting it either August 12 or 19 where we’ll destroy in coordination with PDEA kasi meron mga procedural na mga dapat pa nating sundin but ito ‘yung target natin na i-destroy ‘yung 800 at saka ‘yung dalawang 300 which is around 1.4 tons of shabu,” Gamboa said during a press conference in Camp Crame.
He was referring to the illegal drugs confiscated during police operations in Bulacan, Cavite and Makati.
On November 26, 2019, PNP Drug Enforcement Group confiscated 371 kilograms of shabu with an estimated street value of P2.5 billion from a Chinese national identified as Liu Chao.
On June 4, 2020, PNP Drug Enforcement Group seized 750 kilograms of shabu in an operation in Barangay Lias in Marilao, Bulacan.
Arrested during the operation were Yuwen Cai, a Chinese national, and Angela Miole Tulio and Ma. Lyn Miole Tulio, both Filipino.
On June 11, 2020, police confiscated 374 kilograms of shabu with an estimated value of P2.543 billion during a drug bust in Somerset Subdivision, Barangay Navarro in General Trias in Cavite.
The illegal drugs are under the safekeeping of the PNP Crime Laboratory.
The Supreme Court issued Circular No, 118-2020 on July 15, 2020 reminding all Regional Trial Courts to “strictly comply” with the requirements of Section 21 (4) of Republic Act 9165 on the immediate destruction of illegal drugs confiscated during police operations.
The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 provides that “after the filing of the criminal case, the Court shall, within 72 hours, conduct an ocular inspection” of the confiscated, seized illegal drugs or precursor chemicals, and “through the PDEA shall within 24 hours thereafter proceed with the destruction or burning of the same”, provided, that a representative sample, duly weighed and recorded is retained.
The same Supreme Court circular also advised lower Courts to prioritize issuance of destruction orders of seized drugs amounting to five kilograms or more.
Gamboa earlier said the destruction of these seized contraband will reduce the burden on PNP evidence custodians in safekeeping these evidence for court proceedings.
He said the immediate destruction of illegal drugs will also take away suspicions that seized illegal drugs are just being recycled by erring policemen. (SunStar Philippines)