Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II will subject suspected users of illegal drugs in the Department of Justice (DOJ) to random drug tests, following reports that some of them are involved in the illegal activity.

Aguirre made the announcement in a press briefing during the Mindanao-Wide Prosecutors Conference yesterday at Pryce Plaza Hotel, here.

Aguirre stressed that fighting corruption and the able, efficient handling of drug-related cases are the priorities of the DOJ under the administration of President Duterte.

Aguirre said prosecutors on the ground should focus on cases involving drug personalities.

To realize the theme “Prosecutors As Catalyst For Change Towards A Crime-Free Philippines,” Aguirre has reminded prosecutors not to fall prey to temptations.

“Don’t let yourself be corrupted as prosecutors. Just do your job,” he said.

While there are drug cases that will eat up the time and resources of the prosecution service, Aguirre said prosecutors must sustain their drive to ensure that the anti-narcotics campaign of the Duterte government will not falter.

Aguirre said he has also issued a department order that requires the random drug testing of prosecutors to determine who among them are involved in illegal drugs.

“It’s very hard for the Justice Secretary to go after corrupt prosecutors than to fight the illegal drug trade. They are at the frontline and they commit corruption, it will taint the name of the department, in the way the government is run, in the way the DOJ is being perceived by the people,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre assured the prosecutors in Mindanao that the DOJ will provide them with their needs, primarily on office supplies such as computers and other equipment.

For his part, host Regional Prosecutor for Northern Mindanao Jaime Umpa said this is the first time that the Justice Secretary will sit down with the prosecutors from all over Mindanao.

“He is hands-on and he is willing to listen to us. When he was invited to this event, he readily accepted the invitation,” Umpa said.

Among the other concerns raised and discussed during the conference was the lack of prosecutors at the local level, said Umpa.

In Northern Mindanao alone, the Regional Prosecution Office (RPO-10) needs at least 62 prosecutors, Umpa said.

Umpa said the RPO-10 should have 150 prosecutors under its roster, but only has 88 on its roster.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Camcer Ordonez Imam

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