Judge does it again

A Quezon City judge who became controversial for granting bail to seven arrested Chinese nationals suspected of manufacturing of illegal drugs, did it again.

This time, Judge Emilio Leachon Jr. of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 24 allowed bail for suspected drug dealer Juanito Chan.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jose Lina Jr., in a press conference held at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office at Camp Crame, questioned the ruling to give provisional liberty to the suspect.

Chan has been detained at the Quezon City jail since his arrest for a capital offense on April 23, 1999 in a buy-bust operation at the parking area of a Quezon City supermarket along Timog Avenue.

Seized from the suspect was more than a kilo of shabu he handed to an undercover cop.

"The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the prosecutors of the Department of Justice are now reviewing this questionable decision to see to it that the case be saved," Lina said.

He said that within 72 hours, government prosecutors will take legal action deemed necessary to save case.

In a March 6 ruling, Leachon ordered Chan’s release after the suspect posted a P100,000 bail.

"We are still confirming the report that he (Chan) is now in Hong Kong," PDEA Director General Anselmo Avenido said. "We are completely surprised and saddened by Judge Leachon’s decision."

Last year, Leachon ordered the release of seven Chinese nationals caught manufacturing shabu in a clandestine laboratory in Loyola Heights, Quezon City due to technicalities. – Jaime Laude