SHABU 'TIANGGE' CODDLERS FACE DEATH

POLICE officials yesterday reiterated that the demolition of at least
53 shanties converted into shabu dens in Pasig City weakened their
cases against 377 people arrested during the raid last week and warned
corrupt local and police officials may face the penalty of death for
coddling drug dealers.

"We believe that Pasig City Mayor (Vicente) Eusebio was ill-advised on
this matter. This will boomerang on him," said an official of the
Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task
Force who spoke on condition of anynomity.

The official said they have reports that some corrupt local government
and police officials are benefitting from the drug trade and called
for their prosecution.

Under Republic Act 9165 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of
2002, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is the sole agency tasked
to take charge and have custody of all evidence recovered in a drug
raid.

PDEA chair Anselmo S. Avenido Jr. said that only a court can authorize
the destruction of drug evidence.

Section 27 of RA 9165 says that a public officer or employee could be
held criminally liable for missappropriation, misapplication or
failure to account for confiscated drugs including "the proceeds or
properties obtained from the unlawful act committed."

The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from
P500,000 to P10 million in addition to absolute perpetual
disqualification from any public office shall be imposed upon the
concerned official, he said.

Avenido added that under RA 9165, "any elective local or national
official found to have benefitted from the proceeds of the trafficking
of dangerous drugs or have received any financial or material
contributions or donations from natural or juridical persons found
guilty of trafficking dangerous drugs shall be removed from office and
perpetually disqualified from holding any elective or appointive
positions in the government."

Avenido, AIDSOTF commander Director Marcelo S. Ele Jr. and National
Capital Region Police Office chief Director Vidal E. Querol on
Wednesday held a closed-door meeting to discuss the implications of
the destruction of the shabu "tiangges."

"This definitely can weaken the case against the suspects since the
rule states that any drug-related evidence should be preserved for
appreciation of the court. But now they are gone," Avenido said.

Ele said the demolition completely caught them by surprise as the
structures should have been preserved as evidence in court.

"Certainly, that squatters' colony is real and actual evidence. So we
just took photographs and video clips for evidence. We are confident
that we have enough evidence for the prosecution," he said.