'Alabang Boy' Brodett pleads not guilty

MANILA, Philippines - One of the “Alabang Boys” pleaded not guilty yesterday on illegal drug charges filed against him before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Richard Brodett, charged with violating Section 5 (sale or trafficking) and Section 11 (possession) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, was arraigned in the sala of Judge Juanita Guerrero.

Brodett’s lawyer Felisberto Verano Jr. said they intend to file a petition for bail for the two cases lodged against his client once the court grants the motion they filed concerning the trafficking charge since this is non-bailable. “This is because we want to file petition for bail on the two cases at the same time,” he noted.

The arraignment of Brodett’s co-accused, Jorge Joseph, was deferred pending the resolution of a motion for reconsideration to determine probable cause filed by his lawyer, Andresito Fornier.

“Our concern is that not all the pertinent documents were presented in court. The court should take a second look,” Fornier said.

Citing congestion at the Muntinlupa City Jail as well as tight security that should be accorded the two accused, Alvaro Lazaro, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency legal officer, said the suspects “were transferred to the detention center in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City” yesterday afternoon, upon Guerrero’s orders.

The third accused, Joseph Tecson was earlier arraigned and is detained at the Quezon City Jail.

The three boys were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Quezon City and Ayala Alabang last September. A Department of Justice investigating panel led by Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño dismissed the case after three months for insufficiency of evidence.

 The dismissal has led to charges of bribery by the PDEA which prompted President Arroyo to order the “Alabang Boys” to remain in detention while their case is re-investigated. – Rhodina Villanueva