By Atty. Batas Mauricio

Challenge to the PNP, PDEA: Disclose proof now

“…David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said… ‘to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd’…” –2 Samuel 22:27

Is there any proof behind the accusations of a supposed alliance between drug syndicates and the human rights groups that have been openly assailing President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs? Is it true their intentions of opposing the president’s campaign is simply to bring down Duterte? These are grave and serious accusations, to say the least, and should not be bandied about by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) if they do not have sufficient proof to back up the claims. They not only destroy the reputation of human rights advocates, many of whom were lawyers, but it puts their lives at risk.

Because of this, I am challenging the PNP and PDEA to publicly disclose whatever proof they have regarding the alleged alliance between drug syndicates and human rights groups. If they cannot produce such proof, it would be in the best interest of the truth to end the accusations, particularly those being aired to the media.

In the Philippines, accusations are not equivalent to proof

Under Philippine law and jurisprudence, mere accusation is not considered evidence. According to countless Supreme Court decisions, any accusation must be backed up by sufficient proof, independent of the “say-so” by the complainant or their witness. If a criminal allegation is found only be based on verbal statements by a supposed witness, the high tribunal has ruled time and time again, those assertions must be credible in themselves, consistent in vital and relevant details and are not indicative of any sense of falsity or perjury.

As a result, it behooves anyone making such accusations, such as the PNP and PDEA, to immediately provide requisite proof and details – places, dates, times of meetings, what was discussed during said meetings, how much money changed hands (if any) – so nobody is accused of fabricating allegations.

‘Huwag humatol’

The way I see it, most officers and operatives of the said law enforcement agencies are Christians. With that being the case, they should be aware of one of the important commandments Jesus bestowed upon those who believe in Him.

Found in Matthew 7, about making judgments, Jesus directed:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you… Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye…”

PNP and PDEA personnel are intelligent enough, they should know there is a penalty for those who disregard this commandment.

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If anyone would like to ask me questions about the burning issues of the day, what we have discussed here, or to consult on a problem, please call 0917-984-2468, email at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or post your concerns at facebook.com/attybatas. Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!/WDJ