Taiwanese gets 2 life terms for ketamine, shabu

MANILA, Philippines - A Manila regional trial court (RTC) judge the other day sentenced a Taiwanese to two life terms after he was convicted of possession of over 3.1 kilos of ketamine and 108.77 grams of shabu during an operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in his condominium unit in Sta. Cruz, Manila more than two years ago.

In a 17-page decision, Manila RTC Judge Alejando Bijasa, convicted accused Hsieh Tien Chang, with aliases Chen Tieng Chang, Tanda and Joseph Sia, of Unit 805 China Plaza Condominium for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Ketamine is a tranquilizer used on animals, but is also known as a “club drug” sometimes used in date rape.

The case was promulgated last July 28, but the judge refused to give newsmen a copy of the decision nor give any information about the case.

Mediamen were able to obtain a copy from the PDEA office only yesterday.

The court also ordered Hsieh to pay a fine of P1 million or P500,000 for each count.

Bijasa said in his decision that in accordance with Section 31 of RA 9165, the accused shall be deported without further proceeding immediately “after service of sentence.”

The judge also ordered that the drugs be turned over to the PDEA for proper disposal.

Hsieh’s co-accused, Eusebio Valenzuela and Cezar Valenzuela, were acquitted due to the prosecution’s failure to prove their guilt.

“They appear to be merely visitors to their relative Claire Valenzuela who is a resident of the place together with Hsieh,” said Bijasa.

The Valenzuelas, together with Hsieh, pleaded not guilty.

He said the respondents’ claim that they were not occupants of Unit 805 was belied by the testimony and document submitted to the court by Francisco Chua, the owner of Unit 805.

Chua testified that the first occupant of his unit was a certain Mr. Chua who stayed there from March 15, 2006 up to Dec. 6, 2006. Then Mr. Chua introduced Hsieh, who issued postdated checks to cover his rental payment.

Chua also said he deposited the checks, which bounced, only after the arrest of Hsieh on March 13, 2007.

During his court testimony, Chua pointed to Hsieh as the occupant of the condominium unit he owns and who paid him the checks.