Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 7) — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday said he will issue a directive to prosecutors handling drug cases following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to destroy seized illegal drugs by next week.
He said a memorandum will be issued soon telling all prosecutors to give “top priority” to the drug cases, file charges as soon as possible, and move for a court order to inspect and get rid of the seized drugs in accordance with the anti-dangerous drugs law.
Duterte gave drug enforcement agencies one week to destroy the confiscated illegal drugs to prevent incidents of personnel recycling and reselling these contraband.
The executive department will be working with the courts in destroying confiscated drugs, Malacañang said on Tuesday. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the seized substances need not be hidden for later presentation as evidence, as inventory reports will be used instead.
