DOJ: Alabang drug case still alive

Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez revealed yesterday “someone inside DOJ” had tried to “sneak in” for his signature a draft order recommending dismissal of a drug case against three scions of prominent families.

“I did not sign it,” he said. “I have ordered an investigation to find out who was behind this.”

The draft order seeking to recommend the dismissal of the case against Joseph Ramirez Tecson, Jorge Giordano Joseph and Richard Santos Brodette landed on his desk last Dec. 22, Gonzalez said.

He did not name the “insider,” but has ordered an investigation. Gonzalez said contrary to reports, the case against Tecson, Joseph and Brodette has not been dismissed.

“This has been investigated by the (National Bureau of Investigation or NBI) since it (story) came out in The STAR,” he said. “I have also ordered an investigation into the leakage.”

Gonzalez ordered the National Bureau of Investigation Director Nestor Mantaring to trace how classified information about the case leaked out.

“The bribery or bribery attempt, alleged or actual, will undermine the government’s war against illegal drugs,” read Gonzalez’s memorandum to Mantaring.

“Moreover, these respondents are scions of prominent families. This government shall not rest until the war on drugs is won and the drug pushers and peddlers, big and small, along with anyone who aids or abets their nefarious activities, are brought to justice.”

Gonzalez ordered Mantaring to submit to his office a result of the NBI investigation within three days.

Any resolution pertaining to the criminal complaint against Tecson, Joseph and Brodette, shall not be released without his approval, pursuant to Department Circular 46, according to Gonzalez.

The circular requires that all drug cases are subject to mandatory automatic review.

The STAR reported that at least P50 million was allegedly offered to prosecutors to release the three suspects, who were arrested during buy-bust operations in Ayala-Alabang Village in Muntinlupa last September.

All three were caught in the act of selling illegal drugs to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents who posed as buyers.

Joseph is a son of popular radio personality Johnny Midnight, while Tecson is a known event organizer whose family bids for infrastructure projects from the government.

The suspects have been supposedly involved in peddling high-end drugs during concerts and other events, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The suspects were charged with the sale, possession and use of dangerous drugs before the Department of Justice.