Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jun 2005
Source: Visayan Daily Star (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Visayan Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.visayandailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1688
Author: Gilbert Bayoran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

POLICE CHIEF, TWO COPS FACE RAPS FOR BUNGLING DRUG RELATED CASES

A police chief of a southern Negros city and two policemen yesterday
were added to the list of law enforcers being charged in court by the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, for allegedly having bungled
drug-related offenses they had filed in court.

PDEA regional chief Rolen Balquin yesterday said that charges for
violation of Section 92 of RA 9165, known as delay or bungling in the
prosecution of drug cases, were filed against Senior Inspector Bonifer
Gotas, Sipalay City police chief, PO2 Richard Delasa and PO1 Rommel
Jacildo, before the City Prosecutor's Office of Bacolod City.

Gotas who could not be reached for comment as of last night, used to
be the commander of Police Precinct 2 of the Bacolod City Police
Office before his transfer to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial
Office. Jacildo, on the other hand, had served with PDEA while Delasa
is presently assigned at BCPO.

The filing of the charges against Gotas, Delasa and Jacildo brought to
10 the number of policemen in Region 6 either administratively or
criminally charged by the PDEA. Balquin said two more policemen are
soon to be charged for similar offenses. However, he withheld their
names, pending the filing of the charges.

Other policemen charged earlier for violation of Section 92 of RA 9165
were Inspector Robert Nino and PO2 Armand Penuela, while
administratively charged for dereliction of duty aside were Chief
Inspector Carlito Guion, PO3 Stephen Sigblag, PO2 Alfonso Precia, PO1
Alberto Precia Jr. and POI Jonito Quiatchon.

Balquin said administrative charges for neglect of duty will also be
filed against Gotas, Delasa and Jacildo for similar offenses.

PDEA records show that 35 drug cases were dismissed in Region 6, of
which 14 each were recorded in the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo, one
each in Negros Occidental and Iloilo, three in Capiz and two in
Antique, from January to May.

In the same period, 33 drug offenders were convicted while 2,748 drug
cases are still pending in 41 courts of the region.

The city of Bacolod has filed the most number of drug cases filed in
court with 1,193, Iloilo City - 724, Negros Occidental -306, Capiz -
211, Iloilo and Aklan -134 each, Antique -31 and Guimaras -15.

As stipulated in the provisions of RA 9165, 12 to 20 years of
imprisonment awaits policeman found guilty of bungling drug cases,
aside from dismissal from police service.

Balquin said the dismissal of drug-related offenses stemmed from
failure of police witnesses to attend court hearings, inconsistent
testimonies, and inadequate evidences against arrested drug
violators.
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