131 cops fired, 151 charged for missing drug case hearings

CEBU, Philippines - Dangerous Drugs Board vice chairman Paul Oaminal commended the Philippine National Police for its internal cleansing and enforcement of the provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

 In its operational accomplishment report prepared by the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force for January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, 131 PNP personnel were dismissed from the police service.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as the lead agency forwarded to the PNP, 519 illegal drug cases, involving 875 personnel as witnesses. 

These were drug cases dismissed due to the failure of the arresting policemen to attend to hearings. After validation of the cases forwarded, it was reconciled to be accounted to 637 drug cases with 813 police witnesses.

The PNP in resolving the cases, resulted to the dismissal of 131 policemen, while 125 personnel were meted penalties such as demotion, suspension, forfeiture of salary and reprimands.

 In addition, 151 PNP personnel were criminally charged in court for failure to attend court proceedings of illegal drug cases pursuant to Section 91 of Republic Act 9165 or the “Responsibility and Liability of Law Enforcement Agencies and other Government Officials and Employees in Testifying as Prosecution Witnesses in Dangerous Drugs Cases”.

 “Any member of law enforcement agencies or any other government official and employee who, after due notice, fails or refuses intentionally or negligently, to appear as a witness for the prosecution in any proceedings, involving violations of the Act, without any valid reason, shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than twelve years and one day to twenty years and a fine of not less than P500,000, in addition to the administrative liability he/she may be meted out by his/her superior and/or appropriate body,” Section 91 reads.

The filing of cases against these police officers, Oaminal said, will serve as a warning to police witnesses to be diligent and committed in handling their drug cases. — Johanna T. Natavio/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)