73T drug casespending nationwide

CEBU, Philippines - There are currently 73,432 pending drug cases nationwide, according to Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Paul Clarence Oaminal.

Oaminal recently launched operation “No Case Left Behind” to wrap up pending drug cases.

 He pointed out that as of January this year, there are already 73,432 pending cases nationwide that comprise 73 percent of the cases filed.

Five percent or 4,879 cases of this have been archived. According to Oaminal, this is does not include the cases filed after January this year.

Oaminal stressed that every case should count no matter the quantity of drugs appropriated.

He said that the hearing of the cases and giving the proper consequence to those liable for the crime would greatly matter to the neighborhood and residents living where the accused was arrested.

Oaminal’s office as the vice chairman of the DDB will coordinate with the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Case Monitoring Division.

They will determine why the cases have been archived, the reasons why cases are still pending and would also supervise high-profile drug cases, such as those involving foreigners and shabu laboratory cases.

They will also coordinate with the Department of Justice to guarantee the designation and attendance of prosecutors dealing with drug cases. Oaminal’s office will share notes with the Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court in assuring whether judges regularly hear and decide drug cases.

Further, Oaminal, together with the Congressional Committee on Drugs led by Rep. Roque Ablan Jr. and Antonio Cuenco, will attend the hearing of high-profile drug cases. These pending high-profile drug cases in the country are the La Union shabu laboratory and the shabu laboratory in Mandaue City. — AJ de la Torre/BRP (THE FREEMAN)