Pubdate: Sat, 11 Dec 2004
Source: Freeman, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 The Freeman
Contact:  http://www.thefreeman.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437
Author: Rene U. Borromeo
Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration ( www.pdea.gov.ph )

GOVERNMENT MOVES TO AMEND DRUG LAW

Aside from imposing stiffer penalty on illegal drug traffickers, the 
government has moved to amend the two-year old law to allow authorities to 
use electronic surveillance equipment against persons engaged in drug trade.

Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco said members of the House 
committee on dangerous drugs are supporting the Philippine Drug Enforcement 
Agency in its effort to have the Republic Act 9165 amended.

"Susama ra kini nga dugangan nato og ngipon ang kapolisan nga ibatok nila 
sa mga drug pushers ug mga druglords," said Cuenco, vice chairman of the 
committee and the principal author of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act 
of 2002.

A bill will soon be filed to amend the law to allow authorities to use any 
electronic surveillance equipment, such as wire-tapping devices, to help 
them detect the activities of persons engaged in illegal drugs.

Cuenco said the public should not be afraid because the police are still 
required to secure a court order before tapping their surveillance gadgets 
into the communication lines of suspected drug dealers, otherwise they 
would violate the law.

Councilor Eugenio "Jingjing" Faelnar, president of the Association of 
Barangay Councils, described the move as an effective tool to improve their 
performance.

Surveillance against criminal activities using electronics gadgets is very 
effective in the United States, Australia, and in other countries where 
wire-tapping is allowed.

But to obtain a court order, law enforcers must demonstrate that there is 
probable cause to believe that the person under investigation committed a 
serious felony.
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