COPS WHO PLANT SHABU FACES DEATH

Policeman Who Will Plant Evidence Will Soon Be Facing Death Penalty, Too.

This provision is included in the amended version of Dangerous Drugs Act
which was passed in the third and final reading at the House of
Representative last Wednesday night.

Cebu City Rep. Antonio Cuenco who sponsored the amended bill said the
provision against the planting of evidence was included to prevent persons
of authority from resorting to this practice to arrest suspects.

Cuenco said police officers who will plant at least 10 grams or more, will
be meted the death penalty.

Cuenco said this bill might be used by some drug pushers in filing cases
against the police, "but we have to look at the greatest evil."

The bill also declares mere possession of 10 grams of shabu as a heinous
crime, punishable by death.

The Senate version, on the other hand, provides that only those who will be
caught with 99 grams of shabu can be sentenced to death.

The two bills seek to amend the law that sets possession of 200 grams of
shabu as a capital offense.

The congressmen and senators will meet next week to reconcile their
different versions.

Cuenco in an interview yesterday said, their version is more acceptable.
However, they may agree to revise the bill based on a compromise with the
Senate.

But Cuenco said they would only agree to raising the minimum volume of
shabu punishable by death from 10 to 15 grams.

"Dili gyud mi mosugot anang 99 grams," Cuenco said.

If the House version will be approved, those persons being caught in
possession with 10 grams can no longer post bail.

Aside from shabu, the House version also lowered the quantity of marijuana,
opium and morphins to be considered heinous crime.

From the original 500 grams of marijuana, it was lowered to 150 grams;
while opium, morphine and other dangerous substance was lowered to 10
grams, Cuenco said.

Cuenco said, their first version of the bill was even more stringent,
possession of mere five grams would be considered a heinous crime.

But during their final deliberation, they have agreed to increase it into
10 grams.