DDB official backs case vs cocaine smugglers

CEBU, Philippines - Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Clarence Paul Oaminal supports the action of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, especially of Supt. Roybel Sanchez who is regional director in Southern Mindanao, for the filing of charges against the officers of a multinational shipping firm for their alleged violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002.

Some 16 kilos of cocaine were seized from inside the compound of a shipping line (name withheld pending investigation) December 11 of last year in Davao City.

Oaminal said he has been pursuing the filing of the case against the culprits here in the country.

Respondents of the drug case are Francisco Manago, Rodger Carael, Alvin Reyes, Leo Dalisay, Marivic Luis and Jose Nobela. Sworn statements issued by shipping lines technicians reportedly prove of attempts, or conspiracy, on the alleged illegal shipment on the part of the said officers.

Oaminal also lauds the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police for finally getting their acts together and hopes that they will all help in the successful prosecution of the case. He asserted that since there was a crime committed it would be impossible that no one will be liable for importing the drugs.

“No one is indeed above the law, for it would have been different if the cocaine was found in a poor man’s shanty, government would easily prejudged guilt on the resident, but the filing proves that the law applies to all even to multinational corporations,” Oaminal said.

He would arrange a special meeting of the members of the Board, like the Department of Justice, PNP and the PDEA so details would be discussed and to ensure successful prosecution and to be “alert on possible moves to have the case dismissed.”

Had it not been intercepted, the said 16 kilos of cocaine would be consumed by around 80,000 drug users, he said.

Studies reveal that regular users consume .01 to .02 grams of cocaine, which imply that a kilo is shared by around 5,000 users.

Former DDB chairman Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has suggested to Oaminal to seek the assistance of foreign counterparts in Malaysia, as this is the last port where the ship which carried the vans containing the cocaine had docked.

Sotto has warned that unless we could effectively prevent the entry of cocaine, it would be too late to address its “flooding onto our streets.” Sotto intends to strengthen bilateral cooperation with other countries via a treaty once reelected in the Senate. — Johanna T. Natavio/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)