MANILA, Philippines—Every time criminal charges are dismissed and a suspect walks free, government prosecutors and the police are quick to blame each other for botching the case.

To clear the air, the Department of Justice, National Police Commission (Napolcom) and National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) recently conducted a “Prosecution, law enforcement and community coordinating service conference and dialogue.”

“The undertaking was meant to identify problems and address areas where law enforcement is weak to ensure a hundred-percent conviction, particularly in high profile cases,” Senior Supt. Eric Reyes, a participant, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview.

Reyes said the dialogue, held at NCRPO headquarters last Friday and participated in by Metro Manila district directors and police chiefs, was meant to correct mistakes made in past cases.

“This is to show our commitment and seriousness in pursuing criminals who have expensive lawyers to argue their case,” he added.

The police, he said, are blamed, or worse, accused of corruption when suspects go free through a series of legal maneuvers.

He said speakers from the DOJ and Napolcom cited loopholes in the presentation of evidence as the reason many accused, particularly those charged with violating the Dangerous Drugs Act, were acquitted.

“Cases are usually dismissed on technicalities and among those cited was the marking of evidence. Cases should be airtight with more attention given to details,” Reyes said.

He said the police were also urged to come up with more documentary rather than testimonial evidence.

“With the proper equipment and present technology it should now be easier to pin down suspects in court,” he said.