Bill allowing wiretapping of drug deals nears OK

LAW ENFORCERS may listen in on the phone conversations of drug lords under a proposed new law that is nearing approval.

The House of Representatives has approved on final reading a bill authorizing wiretapping in drug cases to strengthen the authorities’ capability to fight the drug menace.

Iligan Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr., the chair of the House dangerous drugs committee and principal author of House Bill No. 6107, said drug syndicates had become more “fearless and resourceful” in plying their trade in spite of successes of the government’s antidrug campaign.

“There is an urgent need to equip our drug law enforcers with the capability to stop the drug menace at its very core, to cut the roots of the drug syndicates and convict drug lords and not just the peddlers,” Belmonte said.

Under his proposal, violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Law, will be included among the offenses exempted from Section 3 of the Wiretapping Law, or Republic Act No. 4200.

Authorities will be allowed, under certain conditions, to wiretap, intercept and record the communications and surveillance of pushers, manufacturers, cultivators, importers and financiers of dangerous drugs.

The Wiretapping Law already allows enforcers to wiretap persons involved in such cases as treason, rebellion, piracy, sedition, kidnapping, espionage, and other crimes against national security, provided it is authorized by a court order.