'SWIFT' TRIAL UP V. DRUGS, KIDNAPPING AND SMUGGLING

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) immediately acted upon the President's call
of an all out war against criminality and terrorism Tuesday identifying
smuggling, kidnapping, and drug trafficking as "priority crimes."

Being priority crimes, DOJ Undersecretary Manuel Teehankee said they,
together with other concerned agencies like the National Bureau of
Investigation, Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine National Police (PNP),
have resolved to prioritize these high profile crimes and reduce the
prosecution period of these felonies in one year.

"This is in response to the President's call to wage war against criminals
and terrorists by seeking to lessen the prosecution period," he said.

Usually, he said, cases like these could drag on for years. However, with
the President's directives, Teehankee said they would attempt to limit to 30
days the preliminary investigation, charge the suspects in court within 48
hours and have the case tried and promulgated in one year or less.

Teehankee also said passing the anti-terrorism bill would greatly help them
in their crusade against these criminals.

"There are certain provisions there that would help us prosecute them
swiftly," he said.