PDEA lauds Palace decision to charge Alabang Boys, DOJ officials

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Saturday lauded President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s decision to order the filing of criminal charges against the “Alabang Boys." Based on the recommendations of a independent fact-finding committee, Arroyo ordered the lodging of administrative charges against government prosecutors who handled the case of drug suspects Jorge Joseph, Joseph Tecson, and Richard Brodett. The three were arrested in a September 2008 buy-bust operation at Ayala-Alabang village in Muntinlupa City. PDEA director general Dionisio Santiago said that the executive decision was “well-balanced and in the lawful exercise of her authority as the country’s anti-drug czar." “We are happy with the decision and we will abide by the directives issued by the President," he said in a statement. The Palace directed the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) to file charges against chief state prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, senior state prosecutor Phillip Kimpo, and state prosecutor John Resado, who penned the resolution favoring the “Alabang Boys." Malacañang also ordered the PAGC to slap bribery charges against Resado. Zuño and Kimpo will be facing charges of negligence in reviewing Resado’s resolution. In addition, the PAGC was directed to thoroughly investigate Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor for possible violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The Palace also tasked government agencies to conduct their own investigations on other officials being linked to the mess. In turn, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was ordered to conduct an administrative investigation against its officer Major Ferdinand Marcelino and other agents. The Palace also required the PDEA to submit its investigation within 30 days and explain to Arroyo why it failed to comply with the rules on the marking and photography of the items seized in the buy-bust operation. The PDEA chief assured that they will comply with all the orders issued by the President. “We will be more careful this time during the conduct of anti-drug operations. Systems and processes will surely be improved along with enhanced coordination with all counterparts. There were many valuable lessons learned from this case and we will consider them as points of improvement" said Santiago. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV