PAGADIAN CITY, Jul 07 (PIA) – A successful four-day refresher course on the “Cascading the Unified Manual for the Investigation and Prosecution of Illegal Drugs for Zamboanga del Sur Law Enforcers” recently concluded, with 38 participants from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Zamboanga del Sur – Police Provincial Office (ZDS PPO) gaining valuable knowledge and skills.
The training workshop, organized by the Provincial Legal Office (PLO), in collaboration with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor (OPP), aimed to strengthen anti-drug investigation procedures and foster closer collaboration between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.
Associate Provincial Prosecutor Lory Jean G. Duños-Sebastian emphasized the importance of this collaboration, highlighting the new mandate from the Department of Justice (DOJ) that requires cases to have a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction before they can be filed.
“We have to partner with the law enforcement agency because they are the ones who will gather evidence to be filed before our office,” Duños-Sebastian stated.
Participants in the training workshop appreciated the emphasis on ethical standards and the positive impact of collaboration between prosecutors and law enforcers. Agent Richie Sorronda of PDEA emphasized that adherence to ethical standards builds public trust, recognizing public service as a responsibility that must be upheld.
Meanwhile, Agent Ingrid Radaza of PDEA expressed gratitude for the prosecutors’ outreach, highlighting the assistance provided and expressing hopes for a continued strong relationship focused on achieving convictions.
The course covered various topics, including the unified manual, ethical standards, legal frameworks, arrest procedures, and operation planning. Practical workshops were conducted on search warrant applications, buy-bust and search warrant operations, and case preparation. Participants found the workshops challenging but were determined to learn and implement the new ideas shared by the provincial prosecutors.
The successful completion of the training workshop highlights the dedication of law enforcers and prosecutors in their joint mission to combat the illegal drug trade. With enhanced knowledge and expertise, the prosecutors believed that the participants are better equipped to handle anti-drug investigations effectively, contributing to a safer and drug-free Zamboanga del Sur.
Moreover, Assistant Regional Director Ralph Rommel Torres of PDEA IX expressed his confidence in the joint efforts, stating, “Sa maayo nga kooperasyon nato sa mga law enforcers, prosecutors dinhi sa Zamboanga del Sur, ako makaingon, sigurado nga ang kampanya nato sa illegal na droga magmadaugon gayod” (Through our excellent cooperation with law enforcers and prosecutors in Zamboanga del Sur, I can confidently say that our campaign against illegal drugs will be successful). (NBE/EDT/HTB/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)
