Decision on shabu tiangge out Thursday

MANILA, Philippines - The Pasig City Regional Trial Court is set to issue a decision Thursday afternoon on the celebrated drug case against Amin Imam Boratong, the alleged operator of the infamous multi-million “shabu tiangge" at the Mapayapa compound in Pasig City. The shabu tiangge, a one-stop shop for drug users to buy and use shabu, gained notoriety when a man who reportedly sneaked a camera into the compound before the 2006 raid and gave the footage to GMA-7 was found dead with three gunshot wounds in Pasig City. The drug sanctuary is a stone's throw away from the city hall. Acting Chief State Prosecutor Severino Gaña told reporters Wednesday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is expecting that Boratong will be convicted for violation of Section 6 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Dangerous Drugs Act. The law imposes life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million against those who will be found guilty of maintaining a den, dive or resort where any dangerous drug is used or sold in any form. “I strongly believe that our prosecutors have done their job in order to get the accused convicted in this case," Gaña said. He said among the prosecutors who handled the case were State Prosecutors Eden Wakay-Valdez, Anjanette Ortile, Marlette Balagtas and Elizabeth Berdal. Ten witnesses, according to Gaña, were presented during the trial, including a forensic chemist and the authorities who raided the “shabu flea market" on February 10, 2006. The prosecutors also presented officials of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to show the flow of money in and out of the shabu tiangge as well as the accounts related to the illegal activities. “I’m confident, if after looking what our prosecutors have done, I believe the accused should be convicted because they [prosecutors] have presented evidence; they have proven all the elements of the crime," the DOJ official said. Boratong tried to elude authorities for several months but was finally arrested on November 21, 2006 by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the Salcedo Park Condominium in Makati City. Police in eastern Metro Manila have mapped out security plans for the court’s promulgation of the drug case. Eastern Police District head Chief Superintendent Lino Calingasan said he ordered tight security preparations as Boratong is a “high-profile personality." Calingasan also asked for personnel augmentation from Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame. Under the security plan, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will secure Boratong but the EPD will take care of road and perimeter security. - GMANews.TV