By Ariel Avendaño
CAMP VICTOR RAVINA, Baler, Aurora -– A daylong inter-agency workshop/seminar on enhancing anti-drug campaign was held at the conference room of the Aurora Police Provincial Office in barangay Sabang here over the weekend.
Spearheaded by Police Col. Myles Angel Pascual, police provincial director, the seminar/symposium was designed at strengthening the anti-drugs campaign and to eradicate similar forms of illegal drug activities.
Expert lawyers from the provincial prosecution office of the Department of Justice headed by Provincial prosecutor Joebert Reyes graced the activity where participants were given lectures on effective warrantless search and arrest.
Reyes lauded Col. Pascual for organizing the forum aimed at boosting the police capabilities on anti-illegal drugs campaign, and at the same time cited the important role of the media and barangay leaders during buy-bust operations which, he said, oftentimes result to dismissal of charges due to technicalities.
Reyes cited the media and barangay officials' role as "insulating witnesses" as their presence during buy-bust operations establishes credibility of not being biased.
Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Phanie Rose Aragon-Saez delivered a lecture on issues and concerns of law enforcement regarding inquest with relevant and recent jurisprudence while Associate Provincial Prosecutors Cora Baccay-Barte and Angela Guzman-Bolos were tasked on salient provisions of RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Citing the importance of community participation and other stakeholders to combat illegal drug menace, Pascual pointed out that effective enforcement against illegal drugs can effectively be attained when lapses on law enforcement are addressed and corrected.
"Sayang po kasi ang resources ng ating pamahalaan at effort ng ating kapulisan at iba pang law enforcement agencies pag na-dismiss ang kaso dahil sa teknikalidad (The government resources and the police effort as well as of other law enforcement agencies will go to waste when the case is dismissed just because of technicality),” Pascual added.