The Dangerous Drugs Board on Friday, May 31, hailed its recent designation as the Philippine Focal Office for the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).
The INCB is an independent, quasi-judicial body established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961.
"Its primary role is to monitor and support the implementation of United Nations drug control treaties," the DDB stated.
The new designation was formalized through a letter from the Office of the President (OP) dated May 13 that was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, and addressed to DDB Chairperson Catalino S. Cuy and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Sec. Enrique Manalo.
With its designation, the DDB said that the board is mandated “to adopt and carry out" the objectives of the INCB, as well as the applicable laws, rules and regulations required.
Meanwhile, as part of the DDB mandate through Section 81 (f) of the Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), the board conducted recently a seminar-workshop on dangerous drugs law for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcers in partnership with the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Philippine Judicial Academy.
In a statement, the DDB said the forum served as a platform to identify issues and concerns encountered during a prosecution related to drug cases.
“It also equipped participants with the essential knowledge on effectively handling drug evidence and introduced them to well-vetted trial techniques backed by new procedures and latest jurisprudence,’’ the DDB added.
The seminar featured discussions aimed at coordinating and integrating the over-all efforts of the criminal justice system in the field of prosecution and investigation.