SC allows PDEA to seek search warrants for operations

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to seek search warrants for its anti-narcotics operations, strengthening the agency’s campaign against illegal drugs amid controversy hounding its leadership.

In a ruling released last week, the high court has allowed PDEA to seek search warrants from regional trial courts (RTCs) in Manila and Quezon City for its anti-narcotics operations.

The tribunal specifically ordered the “inclusion of the PDEA in the list of agencies authorized to file applications for search warrants involving violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.”

Previously, only the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and the Anti-Crime Task Force were authorized to seek permits for lawful searches involving heinous crimes, illegal gambling, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, the Intellectual Property Code, the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, the Tariffs and Customs Code, violations of Republic Act 9165, and other relevant laws.

The SC issued the order to the judges and clerks of court of the RTCs in the two cities, which have the exclusive power to issue search warrants to law enforcement agencies, upon recommendation of Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez.

The SC said the applications for search warrants should be “personally endorsed” by the head of the PDEA and must also contain the places to be searched and the items to be seized.

Tasked to issue the search warrants are either the RTC’s executive judge or vice executive judge.

The SC stressed that the search warrants can be served “in places outside the jurisdiction of the said courts.”

The executive judge and authorized judges are also tasked to keep a “special docket book” listing the names of the judge to whom the warrant applications had been assigned as well as the results of the search and seizures.