The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered all chiefs of police to coordinate with their respective mayors to strengthen the campaign against illegal drugs, particularly in ensuring an airtight case against those who would be arrested in police operations.
This, as Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos noted that there were drug cases that were dismissed due to technicality, especially on the inventory of illegal drugs seized.
Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano De Leon, PNP director for Operations, said the hard work and sacrifices of the police would be turned into naught if the cases they would file would only be dismissed.
"We need the assistance of the LGUs in order to strengthen our campaign against illegal drugs." "If this is effective in Mandaluyong, then it would be effective in other parts of the country," said De Leon.
De Leon said they want to replicate the example cited by Abalos wherein they hired personnel at the City of Mandaluyong whose job is to join anti-illegyal drugs raids and to testify in court.
In his speech, Abalos said drug cases were often dismissed due to procedural lapses that include complete witnesses in the conduct of inventory of illegal drugs. Based on the law, the inventory must be witnessed by barangay officials, representatives from the media and the Department of Justice.
“There is no need to reinvent the wheels. We just want to look for ways to make things effective,” said Abalos, a lawyer, in citing what they did in the City of Mandaluyong to ensure high conviction rate in drug cases.
As mayors, De Leon said they sit as head of the peace and order councils which includes ensuring that their constituents are protected from criminal elements and threats of illegal; drugs.