Ex-IBP chief Cayosa says Judiciary should be more involved in drug war

A law expert and former head of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Wednesday urged the Marcos administration to allow the Judiciary branch to be more involved in the anti-drug war.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Atty. Domingo Cayosa said the Executive branch and the Judiciary should coordinate with each other.

“Kasi kahit naman huli nang huli ang pulis, file nang file ang fiscal, kung pagdating sa Judiciary hindi umuusad, 'di ba?” Cayosa told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Because if the cops will keep arresting people and the fiscal will keep filing cases, but what’s the use if these cases will not progress at the Judiciary?)

“Kung minsan tinatakot, sinusuhulan, pinapatay. O kaya tinatawaran ng pulitiko… at kung minsan bumibigay. Hindi natin sinasabing lahat pero may mga insidente. So that adds to the frustration,” he added.

(Sometimes they are threatened, bribed, or killed. Sometimes they give in to demands of politicians. We are not saying all, but there are incidents. And that adds to the frustration.)

According to Cayosa, one of the problems is the lack of fear and trust in the country’s criminal justice system.

On Monday, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the drug war under Marcos would be as intensive as the efforts of the Duterte administration, which was controversial for its high death toll.

Cayosa said the government should go after the “big targets.”

“Hindi ho natin puwede sabihin dahil may pag-abuso o may pagkakamali… pabayaan na lang natin yung droga kasi that’s a much bigger concern and problem sa ating lipunan,” Cayosa said.

(We can’t say that just because there are abuses, we will let drugs go rampant because that is a much bigger problem in our society.)

“So dapat ‘yan ituloy pa din pero ‘yun nga mag refocus ng mga big target, hindi lang ‘yung may mga galamay,” he added.

(We should continue that but we should refocus on the big targets.)

He also said all arrested targets, whether big or small, must undergo due process.

“Hulihin mo, ipakita ang ebidensya, ikulong natin [arrest them, provide the evidence, and then detain them],” Cayosa said. —KBK, GMA News