Court clears Korean of drug charges

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court has acquitted a Korean of drug charges after the evidence of the prosecution failed to constitute proof that he indeed committed the crime.

Regional Trial Court Branch 58 judge Gabriel Ingles has dropped the case for violation of the anti-drugs law against Bum Ra Cho who was arrested last January 24, 2007 for possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. Bum pleaded not guilty when arraigned last March 16, 2007.

He was allegedly caught by policemen having in his possession .06 grams of shabu, a piece of tinfoil and a disposable lighter.

PO2 Jay Pizzaras, one of the policemen who arrested Bum said they acted on information that there was a shabu transaction going on along T. Padilla Street.

During the operation, Pizzaras said he saw a certain Miguel Flores handing over a small plastic pack to Bum who placed the said item inside his pocket.

When policemen approached the two, Flores allegedly tried to elude arrest but Pizzaras chased him. Both Bum and Flores were arrested and charged in court.

However, during the cross-examination, Pizzaras said he did not see if the illegal drugs and paraphernalia were actually confiscated from Bum because the Korean was already handcuffed when he returned after chasing Flores.

At the time of the incident, Bum said he was on his way to SM City for a dinner invitation but he dropped Flores, who worked for him as a painter, at his house along Sikatuna Street.

He added that he was already about to leave but Flores asked him to disembark and meet his wife.

Bum said that after he parked his car, he went with Flores and they walked together along a small alley going to his house. Suddenly, about five or six in civilian clothes approached them and tried to grab the key of his car while Flores ran away.

The Korean disclosed that police demanded that he pay P500,000 for his release but he did not comply. He also denied that the shabu was confiscated from his possession.

During cross-examination, Bum admitted that he had known Flores for two years and used to drop off Flores to his house after his work.

Ingles said the court doubts the narration of the arresting officers that Flores and Bum came out from a dark portion and allegedly transacted in a well-lighted place in the presence of five police officers and passers-by. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)