The House of Representatives committee on dangerous drugs has voted to support several amendments to Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, to strengthen the administration's anti-drug campaign.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, committee chairman, said yesterday the proposed changes include allowing the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to wiretap drug dealers, their financiers and protectors or coddlers.
During the two committee hearings on the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NPB), he said Justice Secretary Vilaliano Aguirre II complained that they could not monitor the mobile phone communication of convicted drug lords because it is against the law.
He also added that Aguirre proposed that law enforcers to be allowed to wiretap drug convicts and dealers.
According to Barbers, if wiretapping was allowed, those involved in the illegal drug trade, including Bilibid inmates, would be careful in their communications knowing that these could be monitored.
Another proposal of his committee is to allow the PDEA to coordinate and make confidential report/recommendation to the Anti-Money Laundering Council in order to initiate action for freeze order, seizure and forfeiture or for investigation, inspection or examination of financial transactions of any person found involved in drugs, including their financiers or protectors.
He also said that to help elicit information on drug syndicates, a person charged for any drug-related crime may be given immunity from prosecution or, if convicted, may either be penalized by a minimum imposable penalty or be granted commutation of sentence.
The other proposed changes in the law aim to ensure legitimate conduct of every anti-drug operation and prevent illicit practice of planting of evidence, and mandate all owners-lessors of property to make sure their place is not being used to manufacture illegal drugs. They are also require to report to authorities any sign of illegal activity in their premises.
The proposed amendments were the result of briefings, meetings and consultations his committee had with officials of PDEA, the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation.
The changes would be contained in a bill the Barbers panel would soon endorse to the House.
Source: Philippine Star
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