Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jul 2003 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, COPS WARNED ON DRUG CASES President Arroyo yesterday vowed to expose and file charges against crooked judges, prosecutors, and police who accept bribe money to free drug offenders. The President issued the stern warning amid reports that several drug-related cases have been dismissed due to technicalities. "The bungling of drug cases on purpose can happen on any level of the criminal justice system and we will move against law enforcers, prosecutors, or judges who set drug offenders free in exchange for bribes, or jailers who free them for a fee," she said in a statement. The President directed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Anselmo Avenido to keep a watch list of crooked personalities and "expose and proceed against them as the evidence warrants." "Maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system is just as important as teamwork and synergy among all its components," she said. Arroyo said the government needs the total participation of the community and civil society to clean up the criminal justice system. In a related development, the President also ordered PDEA to put a stop on the illegal practices of "sweatshop" garment factories who abet the use of illegal drugs in their workforce. "We will not tolerate sweatshops, and we will act very strongly against firms employing or abetting the use of illegal drugs to keep their workers awake and alert to the prejudice of their health," she said. "We will treat such employers as drug pushers under the law," she said. Arroyo tasked PDEA to work with the Department of Labor and Employment to monitor these "unsavory practices" and impose necessary sanctions against these employers. Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye, in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan, said the garment factories should be "socially-compliant" by upholding the rights of workers to fair daily wage and good working conditions. (Genalyn D. Kabiling) Marikina police The Eastern Police District (EPD), National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) reported that the Marikina City Police Station, through the support of the city government under the administration of Mayor Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando and Vice Mayor Marion S. Andres, registered the highest number of anti-illegal drugs operations, totaling to 49 from June 1 to 30. The station also registered the highest number of arrests for drug pushers, totaling to 13 and drug users totaling to 57. The shabu confiscated totaled to 746.598 grams with a street value of P124,142. Sr. Supt. Felipe L. Rojas Jr., Marikina City chief of police, noted that among the cities of Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong and San Juan, all under the supervision and control of EPD, Marikina City is the least drug abuse affected area in terms of barangays and number of pushers and users. Marikina City Police Station also conducted the most number of anti-illegal drugs operations and confiscated the largest quantity of "shabu." The report was submitted to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in compliance with her instruction to intensify anti-illegal drug operations throughout the country. Marikina City also boosts of a rehabilitation center for its residents as part of the demand reduction for illegal drugs in its anti-drug campaign. Drug test After conducting random drug tests on top officials of the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), cadets at the Philippine National Police Academy, the country's premiere educational institution of future officers of the national police force, also underwent the same test. In a report to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr., PPSC acting president Ramsey Ocampo said that some 40 male and female cadets of the PNPA took the drug test at the PNPA Grandstand supervised by the PNP Crime Laboratory Scene of the Crime Office technicians at Camp Casta=F1eda in Silang, Cavite. Ocampo said that the drug tests are in full support of the Arroyo administration's anti-drug abuse program spearheaded by the Dangerous Drugs Board, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement agencies. "We want to see to it that PNPA cadets are drug-free, because we do not want pushers and users to participate in the cadetship program," Ocampo said. Ten commissioned and non-commissioned police officers assigned at the PNPA also underwent random drug testing. Ocampo said the drug tests would yield negative results because they have been strict and diligent in the selection of cadets. However, he said that he is not discounting the possibility that a cadet may be found positive for drug use because of the semestral breaks and temporary leaves of absence. "Any cadet found positive for drug use shall be dismissed from the academy and will be charged with grave misconduct," he said, adding that, "Drugs are taboo in the academy that is why there is no room for illegal drug users in the PNPA." Any commissioned and non-commissioned police officer whose drug tests yield positive results will be charged before the PNP Internal Affairs Service. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens