Dusaban shows document disproving guv, aide's claim
Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor Bernabe Dusaban yesterday showed documents to disprove the claim of Governor Niel Tupas and his aide Manuel Mejorada that they mishandled the drug complaints reaching their office with particular references to the drug charge against one Noli Teope and a drug bust related to a raid in June 2008.
Dusaban released copies of the questioned Resolution docketed as I.S. Nos. 2008-114 to 116. Twin violations of Republic Act 9165, the Dangerous Drugs Act was cited particularly Sections 11 for possession of dangerous drugs and 12 for possession of paraphernalia. Also included in the complaint was illegal possession of ammunition with Teope as named respondent.
The News Today (TNT) obtained a copy which showed the evaluation and recommendation.
Section 12 was dismissed for insufficiency of evidence following the prosecutor’s finding that “(T)here was no drug paraphernalia or instruments recovered from the possession of the respondent.”
Yet clearly recommended thereafter was the filing of “two (2) attached separate informations for violation of Sec. 11, Art. 11 of RA 9165 and Violation of RA 8294 against respondent Noli Teope be approved for filing with RTC branch 66 stationed at Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.”
Relatedly, TNT further obtained a drug-incident report submitted to the Department of Justice Central Office.
Records showed that in the period of January 2003 to December 31, 2008, a total of 209 drug cases were received by the Provincial Prosecutors for inquest proceedings or preliminary investigation. Cases dismissed were 23 while cases filed in Courts reached 193.
In 2008 alone, records showed 29 received with 28 cases pursued in Courts. One case though involved seven separate violations with the same incident against the same respondents.
Thus, technically, records showed eight drug cases dismissed.
“That per Resolution, other respondents were charged before the Courts while the case was dismissed as to his co-respondents,” the report went.
Earlier, Dusaban challenged Governor Tupas to name the provincial prosecutors he and his top aide are accusing to be friends of drug personalities.
Governor Tupas was quick on his response – “In due time.” Or so it would be, after the governor and his camp are done substantiating the information and gather evidences to back their claims.
The latest exchanges were heard yesterday over Aksyon Radyo Iloilo. In the radio interview, Prosecutor Dusaban made the candid dare to Governor Tupas to prove his charges.
This, as Dusaban decried what he termed were “baseless” statements of Tupas aide, Mejorada.
To note, it was Mejorada who was the bearer of the governor’s message in a strongly-worded letter practically against the entire Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
The letter also informed Dusaban of the end in all Provincial Government financial aid stating that it cannot be of assistance to an office that serves as “stumbling block” in the governor’s anti-illegal drug drive.
As such, Dusaban wants the governor to prove his point and accusations particularly since according to the prosecutor, clear fact is that the questioned drug case was not even really dismissed by his office.