THE RAIN AND SHABU ARE FLOODING OUR COUNTRY

A ton of shabu worth P6.8 billion hidden in several magnetic lifters got out of Customs in Manila like a fog that comes on little cat feet. Only the empty containers were found at a warehouse in Barangay Francisco Reyes in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. The shabu could have already made its way to the streets of Metro Manila by now and eventually, into the provinces. While BOC chief Isidro Lapeña was aghast and flabbergasted of what had happened, some people in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) that are in cahoots with the drug were laughing all the way to the Bank.

The narrative about the BOC being helpless all the time is like festering sores, the stigma attaches to it, will continue to agitate the nation like a story that doesn’t know how we will end. What should PRRD do about this?

In Occam's razor philosophy, the simple approach is usually the better one. In the case at bar, the simple approach is who are the persons of interest and they are the people in proximity to the arrival and the release of the ton of drugs. Once identified, immediately order for their suspension while they are being subjected to custodial investigation. Then, make the process of elimination as you are also offering a bargain for a state witness. Finally, file the case of PLUNDER under REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7080.

Crimes like this instant case are usually committed by vicious felons in secret and under the condition where concealment is highly probable and so direct evidence is impossible. Thusly, resort to circumstantial evidence is the second option after all; direct evidence is not the only matrix wherefrom a court may draw its conclusions and findings of guilt.

Let it be said, the highest reward that can be bestowed on public officials is the esteem of their brethren. This esteem cannot be purchased, perfunctorily created, least of all, gained by grandstanding by showing their supposed haul of smuggled goods in front of TV Cameras and spotlights with the fuse. It emanates solely from integrity, character, brains, and skills in the honorable performance of professional duty.

This analysis shall delve into the text and underlying assumptions from my possible readers and filter the gold from the dustpan, to speak figuratively.