Death penalty for those involved in illegal drugs pushed

Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers will again push for the revival of the death penalty for those involved in illegal drugs following information about the “recycling” of confiscated drugs.

Barbers, chairman of the House Dangerous Drugs Panel, is among the lawmakers who are advocating for the return of the death penalty in order to scare away those planning to do bad things.

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“Mag-recommend kami na itulak talaga ‘yung death penalty dito sa mga drug offenders na ‘to,” said Barbers.

“Pangalawa, ‘yung sa method ng recycling, siguro dun pa lang sa pag-iimbentaryo ng ebidensya na nakakalap eh dapat istrikto na kaagad,” he added.

Last week in his committee’s hearing, Barbers said that based on the information he obtained, the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) allegedly give their “informant” confiscated drugs when they get a successful “tip” or information.

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“A substantial amount of illegal drugs hauled, seized and confiscated by the PNP [Philippine National Police] and PDEA are being recycled for the past 20 years. This fact was revealed today by an asset/informant of the two agencies who admitted being given ‘basura’—street lingo for shabu—by anti-illegal drug operatives of the two agencies every time they make a bust based on his tips,” said by Barbers.

Death penalty for those involved in illegal drugs pushed

It is said that 30% to 70% of confiscated drugs are given to informants or assets.

“Binibigyan ng shabu o part of the evidence for the assets to sell it to the streets. Kapag naging cash na ito, na-convert na into cash, binabalik na ito sa operatives…Doon siya magkakaroon ng porsiyento,” the solon said.

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In the joint Senate Blue Ribbon and Justice Committee inquiry in 2019, it was discovered that some police officials allegedly kept part of the 200 kilos of illegal drugs seized in a drug bust in Pampanga in 2013 to be “recycled.”

The PNP leadership said that they would investigate such information and promised to hold accountable those who can be proven to be involved in the recycling of confiscated illegal drugs.

Barbers’ committee will still hold a hearing on illegal drugs. Those invited included National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officials, PNP and their Drug Enforcement Group, and PDEA.

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