OSG asks DOJ not to dismiss drug raps vs Peter Lim, et al
The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) not to dismiss the criminal complaint filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against alleged drug lord Peter Lim and his co-respondents.
In a seven-page comment, the OSG, which represents the PNP, instead asked the DOJ to deny Lim’s motion for reconsideration which sought to reinstate the Department’s Dec. 20, 2017 resolution which dismissed the complaint.
Lim challenged the March 19 order of then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II which directed that the December 20, 2017 resolution be vacated and the case be remanded to a new panel of prosecutors for the continuation of the preliminary investigation.
“Under these circumstances, it is clear that the former Secretary of Justice issued the March 9, 2018 Order because he had every reason to believe that the dismissal of the complaint would cause a probable miscarriage of justice to the entire People of the Philippines,” read the comment signed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, Assistant Solicitor General Angelita Villanueva Miranda, and Senior State Solicitor Karen Ong.
Contrary to the claims of Lim, the OSG pointed out that “the former Secretary of Justice did not issue the March 9, 2018 order by reason of public outcry, or nationwide uproar.”
“In requiring the reception of additional evidence from both parties, i.e., complainant and respondents in this case, and the conduct of further investigation for clarificatory purposes, it was simply dictated by substantial justice and the desire to have a comprehensive investigation,” the OSG explained.
“It is completely within the power and authority of the SOJ to order for the reinvestigation or the reception of additional evidence,” it added.
The complaint was filed before the DOJ by the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Major Crimes Investigation Unit (PNP-CIDGMCIU).
Under the complaint, Lim and his co-respondents are accused of violating Section 26(b) in relation to Section 5 (Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/ or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals) of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Apart from Lim, those who have been named as respondents in the complaint are self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, convicted drug lord Peter Co, alleged drug supplier Lovely Impal, arrested alleged drug dealer Marcelo Adorco, Max Miro, Ruel Malindangan, Jun Pepito, and several others who are only known through the aliases Amang, Ricky, Warren, Tupie, Jojo, Jaime, Yawa, Lapi, Royroy, Marlon, and Bay.