DOJ FORMS PROSECUTION TEAM V. DRUG SUSPECTS

FOLLOWING Malacanang's declaration of war against the country's illegal
drug industry, the Department of Justice Monday announced the creation of a
22-man prosecution task force with orders to file charges against drug
suspects, 24 hours after their apprehension.

In a press briefing, Justice Undersecretary Manuel Teehankee said Monday
that the department has designated Assistant Chief State Prosecutor
Leonardo Guiyab, Jr. to head the task force.

Teehankee added the creation of the task force is in accordance with the
mandate of R.A.

9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, who will have
opposition lawmaker Vicente Sotto II as a adviser.

"The task force will treat all drug cases on a priority bases and will be
given as a guidance 30 days to complete the preliminary investigation of
these cases," Teehankee.

Normally, the preliminary investigation panel is given 60 days to complete
their evaluation of the case.

"If probable cause is established the corresponding information shall be
filed in court within 24 hours from the termination of the investigation,"
Teehankee added.

Teehankee said that the creation of the DoJ task force and the new
guidelines is expected to help in the government's drive against illegal drugs.

"The DoJ is committed to prosecuting all illegal drug cases," he added.

To show its seriousness in tackling the drug problem, the DoJ tapped 22
veteran prosecutors for the crack task force.

Among the members of the task force include six Senior State Prosecutors,
including Romeo Danosos, Theodore Villanueva, Archimedes Manabat, Jude
Romano, Miguel Gudio, Jr., and Leah Armamento.

The task force also include 16 State Prosecutors, namely: Richard Fadullon,
Joaquin Escobar, Caridad Junio, Emilie De los Santos, Aida Macapagal, Pablo
Formaran III, Philip Kimpo, Albert Fonacier, Ruben Carretas, Susan Dacanay,
Esperanza Soriano, Josefino Zubia, Emmanuel Velasco, Perfecto Chua-Cheng,
Elizabeth Berdal, and Ruben Zacarias.