Chatto: Many loopholes deter illegal drugs drive

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The campaign against illegal drugs trade and abuse in Bohol may be futile due to the many loopholes in the prosecution that caused the dismissal of cases in court.

"This is something very discouraging to hear," said Governor Edgar Chatto, who described the discouraging situation during the weekly Kita ug ang Gobernador press conference yesterday, aired simultaneously in two radio stations here.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency earlier reported in the Provincial Peace and Order Council that only four convictions from illegal drugs cases filed in court were accomplished last year. Eighteen suspects were acquitted and two other cases were dismissed, according to PDEA agent Ma. Chona Egam.

Despite this outcome, Chatto declared that the campaign against illegal drugs will continue, saying that a training program has been conducted to make the law enforcers adept in the handling of cases and in the custody and evaluation of evidences, among others.

Chatto told The Freeman that the justice system has been enhanced and linked with the law enforcers to make the prosecution of drug suspects more effective. (FREEMAN)