ni Lolet Abania | January 6, 2023
Pinawalang-sala ng Las Piñas Regional Trial Court si Juanito Jose Remulla III, anak ni Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, sa isinampang kasong illegal drug possession sa kanya.
Sa ibinabang hatol ngayong Biyernes, nabatid ni Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 197 Judge Ricardo Moldez II na si Remulla III ay not guilty of violating Section 11 of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165) “on the ground of reasonable doubt.”
Matatandaan na si Juanito ay dinakip sa isang controlled delivery operation ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at ng Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group sa Talon Dos, Las Piñas noong Oktubre 11, 2022.
Noong Nobyembre 4, nag-plead naman ng not guilty ang batang Remulla sa isinampa sa kanyang illegal drug possession charge.
Sa isang 34-pahinang desisyon, ayon sa Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 197, “[there was no clear evidence that Remulla had] freely, consciously, and with full knowledge possessed the alleged seized illegal drugs.”
“There is reasonable doubt that the accused received and possessed the parcel delivered to him with the knowledge, consciousness, and awareness that said parcel contained marijuana,” batay sa desisyon.
Gayundin, ayon sa korte, ang pagtanggap ng isang package sa panahon ng isang controlled delivery ay hindi sapat para ipakita na ang recipient ay sangkot sa aktibidad na labag sa batas.
“Unfortunately, apart from showing that the package or parcel was handed to the accused, the prosecution did not present other evidence to show that the former knew that it contained marijuana,” pahayag dito.
Sinabi rin ng korte na base sa statement mula sa isang Customs examiner, “it could be inferred that the parcel had possession of the parcel as early as September 28, 2022.
The parcel was then turned over to the Customs examiner on October 4.”
“As to the effect, however, it has put into question the identity, integrity, and evidentiary value of the purportedly seized dangerous drugs. This is especially true when there is nothing in the records that would show how the parcel… was handled, stored, and preserved from the time it was discovered on September 28,” saad pa rito.
“This is especially true when there are lapses, such as those present in this case. When there are glaring lapses or irregularities on the part of the law enforcers, the presumption of regularity usually accorded to the latter is effectively destroyed or immediately negated,” dagdag nito.
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