Second session of SC oral arguments on drug war

Top law enforcement agency officials are expected to attend the second session of the Supreme Court's oral arguments on petitions against President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs on Tuesday.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno had ordered the Office of the Solicitor General to present Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino during the second session scheduled at 2 p.m..

The PNP and PDEA are at the forefront of Duterte's war on drugs. The PDEA is currently the sole agency tasked to carry out the campaign.

The PNP had initially led the campaign, but had been twice ordered by Duterte to step back. The first reason was the kidnap-slay of Korean Jee Ick Joo by anti-narcotics policemen and the killings of teenagers, including that of Kian Loyd delos Santos.

The government's position, through the Office of the Solicitor General, is expected to be heard during today's oral arguments.

Also told to attend were Department of the Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy and official from the National Police Commission and PNP Internal Affairs Service.

Petitioners are questioning the legality of Oplan Double Barrel and the DILG's memorandum circular that establishes a system of anonymous reporting of suspected criminals by providing names through drop boxes. —ALG, GMA News