PDEA hits Gonzalez's midnight order on shabu laboratory case

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) assailed yesterday chief presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez for ordering the withdrawal of a criminal complaint against an alleged shabu laboratory financier days before he vacated his position as justice secretary.

PDEA Region I vowed to question the order in a motion for reconsideration.

Gonzalez, in a resolution numbered IS 06-615-LU-BG, allegedly directed the provincial prosecutor to withdraw the information filed in court against Joselito Artuz.

PDEA noted that Artuz, also known as George Cordero, was nabbed along with several Chinese on July 9, 2008 in a raid in Barangay Bimmotobot, Naguilian, La Union.

As an alleged financier, Artuz faced charges of conspiracy in the manufacture of dangerous drugs as defined under Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002. The same charges were filed against his co-accused.

PDEA said Gonzalez’s order caused mix reactions from members of Task Force Bimmotobot, the composite team of law enforcers who are investigating the case, as well as the religious sector led by Bishop Artemio Rillera, that is closely monitoring it.

PDEA Region I said Gonzalez’s move to pass a resolution absolving one of the primary suspects in a big drug case was unprecedented and suspicious.

Citing records, PDEA said the dismissal of the case against those arrested in the raid on Nov. 12, 2008 prompted civic organizations to rally and seek the help of Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Tito Sotto and even Malacañang.

President Arroyo promptly intervened and then ordered Gonzalez to transfer the case to the La Union Provincial prosecutor on Dec. 30, 2008.

Gonzalez, in compliance, issued a memorandum ordering La Union Provincial Prosecutor Danilo Bumacod to conduct a reinvestigation, which eventually led to the implication of 44 policemen and to the issuance of a warrant of arrest on May 29, 2009 against Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo, former Dagupan City police chief.

Borromeo was accused of protecting the shabu laboratory.

“We will file a motion for reconsideration on the resolution passed by the former justice secretary and we will keep a close watch on this case,” PDEA Region I Director Roberto Pana said, adding that Gonzalez’s act “does sow seeds of doubt” as to why he would issue such an order two days before leaving the DOJ.