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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Sunday, November 26, 2017
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MANILA – The Duterte administration promises to bring justice fast for those who died in the massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao in 2009.
Fifty-eight people including 32 journalists were killed on Nov. 23 that year. They were on their way to Shariff Aguak for the filing of Ismael Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy for governor.
“President (Rodrigo) Duterte vowed to extend his administration’s assistance to the families of the victims,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque. At the same time, the President urged the Justice department to push for “a speedier trial.”
On Thursday – the eighth anniversary of the tragedy – the chief executive met with the families of the victims.
Roque also assured the case can be closed under the present administration.
“Gagawa rin po ako ng hakbang para naman masiguro na magamit iyong first-in, first-out (FIFO),” said Roque, also the presidential adviser on human rights.
“Tingnan po natin kung either this year or early next year ay magkakaroon ng promulgation of judgment,” he said.
Under the FIFO method, the Supreme Court may render judgment on cases if all evidence for and against any accused have already been heard, said Roque.
“So hindi na po kinakailangan tapusin ang lahat ng ebidensya laban sa lahat bago magkaroon ng promulgation of judgment,” Roque said.
In 2016, Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 1 to create the Presidential Task Force on Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Members of the Media.
The order aimed to ensure a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers./PN
MANILA – The Justice department blamed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for the dismissal of charges against former Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon for the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu.
“Sloppy” was how Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II described the illegal drug and graft complaints that the PDEA filed on Faeldon and 11 other former Customs officials.
“Read first the complaint of the PDEA and the findings of the panel and see what kind of evidence they submitted,” Aguirre said. “You should not be too quick in drawing your own conclusion.”
In a 95-page resolution released last Wednesday, a Justice department panel recommended the dismissal of charges against the 12 accused due to lack of evidence.
“The evidence adduced by the PDEA in support of the charges were insufficient to establish probable case,” read part of the resolution. “Thus, the Panel is constrained to take into consideration the defense raised by the respondents.”
But the move drew flak from senators, who recommended the filing of charges against some Customs officials named in a blue ribbon committee draft report.
While Faeldon and company were absolved, the Justice department recommended charging 10 people led by Customs broker Mark Taguba with importing and selling illegal drugs.
According to Aguirre, the Justice department’s preliminary investigation “does not depend on the investigation by them (senators).”
“While we use the information and pieces of evidence presented during the Senate hearings, [they] should be presented by the complainant to us,” the secretary said./PN
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