PNP's Eleazar orders review of dismissed drug cases amid Loonie frame-up claims

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar on Monday ordered a review of all dismissed illegal drug cases since 2016 after rapper Loonie asked him to launch a probe on the cops who allegedly tried to frame him.

“I am directing the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to review the cause of dismissal for these cases so we can make adjustments on how we can conduct anti-illegal drug operation,” he said in a press conference.

Eleazar said the PNP aims to fix the mistakes of police officers that may have led to the dismissal of cases as well as hold cops accountable for failing to observe operating procedures.

“This is in connection with the claim of the rapper Loonie after the court dismissed his case,” he said.

On Sunday, Eleazar said the rapper’s concern on his case is included in the review by the Committee on Dismissed Drug Cases of the Southern Police District.

“At kung makitaan ng kumite na may pagkakamali ang mga pulis na iyon, makakaasa sya na mananagot ang kung sino man ang may kasalanan,” he said.

(If the committee sees fault on the side of the police, I can assure him that those cops will be held accountable.)

On Friday, Loonie asked Eleazar to launch an investigation against the policemen who “framed” him and four other individuals during a buy-bust operation at a hotel in Makati City in 2019.

Loonie pointed out that their case was more than just an issue of chain of custody.

“What we humbly and respectfully ask from your office, sir, is bigyan niyo po sana ng atensyon at aksyon ang mga issue na ito at umaasa po ako na makapag-launch ng investigation doon sa mga involved sa kaso namin,” said Loonie, whose real name is Marlon Peroramas.

(What we humbly and respectfully ask from your office, sir, is to give this issue attention and action and I am hoping that your office will launch an investigation against those who are involved in our case.)

According to Eleazar, the PNP wants to improve the conviction rate and identify police officers committing irregularities in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations and weakening the prosecution’s evidence.

He also floated the possibility of some policemen "deliberately causing the dismissal of the drug case, being in cahoots with the accused." — DVM, GMA News