PDEA trains drug court watchers

Fifty members of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) have been trained by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to be "drug court watchers" in a bid to address the frequent dismissal of drug cases in the different courts in the country.

PDEA Director General Anselmo Avenido said selected members of the VACC, led by founding chairman Dante Jimenez, were trained by the agency last Tuesday on how to attend and monitor trials involving drug cases.

"The main cause for dismissals in drug cases is the non-appearance of witnesses. This is particularly true in Metro Manila, where the bulk of drug cases are now pending," Avenido said. "With court watchers around, everybody will be alert, including the judge, the prosecutor and the witnesses."

The trainees were drilled on the following subjects: the national drug situation; penal provisions of Republic Act 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; drug operations; the agency’s Private Eye program; and case tracking and monitoring format.

Avenido said the move is expected to help prevent the dismissal of drug cases involving big-time pushers, dealers and operators.

The agency earlier revealed that most of the "no-show" witnesses in drug cases are police operatives or arresting police officers.

Earlier, the PDEA reported that it was able to locate a total of 251 police witnesses in drug cases, who have been transferred to different units. This has prevented the concerned policemen from attending hearings.

Avenido said the PDEA tapped the VACC because of its experience in monitoring cases involving heinous crimes.

Avenido added that the watchers will be in court during trials to monitor and record the proceedings. Afterwards, they will submit progress reports to the PDEA. — Christina Mendez