Court win shows govt’s commitment vs. illegal drugs – DOJ

Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said the ruling of the Manila court to convict four persons in connection with the May 2017 smuggling of PHP6.4 billion worth of shabu shows the government's commitment to crack down on the illegal drugs trade. "A drug-free Philippines is just within the horizon and never would be an impossible dream as long as we continue to work hard and help one another in punishing those who deal with illegal drugs," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement. In an 89-page decision, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21 found customs broker Mark Taguba and his three co-accused guilty of misdeclaration, smuggling, transportation and facilitation of smuggled goods, and violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. Also found guilty were Eirene Mae Tatad, Fidel Dee and Dong Yi Shen, alias 'Kenneth Dong.' The court sentenced the four to up to 40 years imprisonment and ordered them to pay a fine of PHP50 million for each of the three com plaints in the consolidated decision. 'This would send a message to those who are involved in illegal importation that the law is there to punish an illegal act," Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit said. Source: Philippines News agency